!886 



I 



i: 



THE 



CHURCH REVI 




A SKETCH 



OF 



PAROCHIAL MISSIONS 

IN 

ENGLAND, CANADA, AND THE UNITED 

STATES. 

ALSO 

INCIDENTS OF TRA VEL A T HOME AND ABROAD. 

BY / 

The Rev. J. W. BONHAM, 

Church Missioner. 



" Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost." — St. John 6 : 12. 



PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR. 



NEW YORK : 
THOMAS WHITTAKER, 

2 AND 3 Bible House. 




V\\xC\ 




0^ 



Copyright, 1886, 
By J. W. BONHAM. 



DEDICATION 

TO 

THE RT. REV. F. D. HUNTINGTON, S.T.D., 

BISHOP OF CENTRAL NEW YORK. 

Right Reverend Father in God : When in America 
*' the parochial mission" flame was burning dimly you 
solemnly set apart the author to "do the, work of an 
Evangelist." Gladly he would have remained the Evangel- 
ist of your diocese, had he not desired to revisit England, 
to be present at the London Prelent Mission. Through 
your commendatory letters ** to the Archbishops and Bish- 
ops and other Clergy of the Church of England" your 
Evangelist was cordially received by the Lord Bishop of 
London, the Very Rev. Dean of St. Paul's and the Rev. 
Canon Gregory ; Dean Stanley of Westminster Abbey ; 
the Rev. William Calvart, Vicar of St. Peter's, Dulwich, 
and other Clergy ; and facilities were afforded to enable 
him to study the mission methods in the Church of Eng- 
land, as requested in " the letters commendatory." 

After the mission he returned to America, and labored 
hard, through his pen and tongue, to scatter the good news 
that the Church of England is now "the most living 
Church of Christendom." He travelled far and near that, 
through God's blessing on his missions, " feeble parishes" 
might be strengthened and despondent parishes take cour- 
age and " go forward." 



iv DEDICATION. 



The slow progress of " the parochial mission" in America 
is analogous to its slow advance in Great Britain. The 
Rev. Robert Aitken and his co-workers, and the Rev. 
'Father Benson, and the ** Cowley Fathers," of Oxford, 
pressed forward as pioneers amid very great discourage- 
ments. The very eloquent Father Aitken, who was not a 
** Sacramentarian," and the gentle but able Father Benson, 
who is a High Catholic Churchman, with loud voices 
cried : " Fear God, and give glory to Him ; for the day 
of the Lord approacheth ; and worship Him who created 
the heavens and the earth !" Travelling from diocese to 
diocese, they cried : " Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise 
from the dead, and Christ will give thee light." And as 
the Wesleyan revival spread forth from Oxford, the paro- 
chial mission revival of the present generation bears the 
stamp of " the Oxford movement." 

" The New York Advent Mission" is analogous to " the 
London Prelent Mission," and a crisis of the many efforts 
which preceded it. The prayer, " Oh, Lord, send a plen- 
teous rain of grace, and refresh thy languishing inher- 
itance !" God in mercy has answered. The Bishops, Clergy, 
and laity of New York who unitedly prayed, ecstatically sing 
their part in the thanksgiving " Te Deum" for God's bless- 
ing on" the Advent Mission." And, like the apostolic Mis- 
sioner to the benighted Gentiles, those who were pioneers 
of ** parochial missions" sincerely and gratefully thank Al- 
mighty God that the American branch of the Anglican 
Church, partaking of the mission vitality of her English 
mother, is also now a great light enlightening the Gen- 
tiles in America. Some of " the pioneer Missioners" may 
soon enter into " the rest that remaineth ;" but in view of 
what their own eyes see, their own ears hear, and their 
own hearts feel, they will depart rejoicing. 

Through sovereign grace many can serenely say : 



DEDICA TION. 



" Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace ; 
For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation." 

" Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speak- 
eth." The author never left your '* happy home" without 
an emotion of gratitude that he was happier than when he 
entered it, and enjoyed Episcopal sunshine ; and the year 
he was in Central New York was one of the happiest 
years of his eventful life. 

Sincerely hoping that it may please Almighty God to 
prolong your useful ministry, and that your last days may 
be the happiest days of your life, ** The Church Revived" 
is respectfully dedicated to the Bishop who solemnly set 
the writer apart to "do the work of an Evangelist." 

The Author. 



CONTENTS. 



PART I. 

CHAPTER I. 
THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND SLUMBERING. 

PAGE 

The Antiquity of the Anglican Church — Retention of the Ancient 
Churches and Seats of Learning — Churchmen and Dissenters 
Nodding — A Reign of Moral Darkness — Churches Deserted, 
Places of Amusement Crowded: — Church Serenity i 

CHAPTER n. 

MONUMENTS OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND APATHY. 

Wesley and His Followers Mobbed — Riotous Conduct of a Dream- 
ing Clergyman — Strange Actions of Magistrates — Methodists 
Caricatured on the Stage — An Official Order for the Arrest of 
Methodist Preachers . . , 5 

CHAPTER in. 

A WESLEYAN PREACHER ROBBED ; THE THIEVES ALARMED. 

Three Young Gentlemen on a Spree — The Robbers Asked to Kneel 
down and Pray — Afraid that a Spark may Ignite Powder — 
Required to Pay Dearly for their Midnight Visit — Glad to Give 
the Preacher all their Money — A New Chapel Built 8 

CHAPTER IV. 

THE WESLEYAN SCHISM AFTER WESLEY'S DEATH. 

Buckle Mistaken — Wesley not a Schismatic — Wesley was not 
" Driven out of the Church " of England — He Loved Her too 
much to Leave Her — His Desire that all Methodists Imitate His 
Example — Twelve Reasons to Induce them to do so , 15 



viii CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER V. 

WESLEY'S OFFICIAL LETTER TO METHODISTS IN AMERICA. 

PAGE 

Dr. Coke and Francis Asbury, Joint Superintendents — Richard 
Whatcoat and Thomas Vesey, Elders — Wesley's Official Docu- 
ment — His Surprise and Sorrow — " How Dare you Suffer Your- 
self to be Called a Bishop ?" — The Ritualism of Methodism 21 

CHAPTER VI. 

WESLEY AS A CHURCH REVIVALIST NOW APPRECIATED. 

His Monument in Westminster Abbey — Living Churchmen not 
Responsible, for the Conduct of their Ancestors — Christian 
Bodies outside of the Church of England Living Warnings not 
to Repel Her Enthusiastic Workers 25 

CHAPTER Vn. 

THE DAWN OF THE PRESENT AWAKENING. 

The Rev. Robert Aitken Converted — Pulpits Closed against Him — 
Laboring Outside of the Church — His Last Sermon in London 
when about to Return — His Evangelistic Labors in the Church 
of England , 29 

CHAPTER VHL 

THE ALARM CONCERNING PAPAL AGGRESSION. 

The Rev. Dr. Cumming in Exeter — He Attacks the Papacy — People 
Alarmed — An Imaginary Papal Mandate to Regain Power in 
England — Bach's Passion Music — The Abbey Crowded 35 

CHAPTER IX. 

THE ADOPTION OF THE TERM " THE PAROCHIAL MISSION." 

Mission at Bedminster, Bristol — Clergymen in a Coal Mine — The 
Number of Missioners — The Bishop of Derry Appreciates En- 
thusiasm — The Twelve Days' Mission in London — Bishops Mis- 
sion Leaders — Preparation for the Pre-Lent Mission in London 
— Bishops Address the Clergy 48 

CHAPTER X. 

THE ANCIENT CHURCH OF PERANZABULOE. 

Entombed in Sand during 1000 Years — The Mounds of Sand Re- 
moved — Plainness of the Architecture — St. Peran Preached the 
Gospel in Cornwall — St. Augustine Arrived in England at a 
Later Period — The Fate of Unfaithful Apostolic Churches 52 



CONTENTS, ix 



CHAPTER XI. 
THE NEWTON THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION, MASS. 

PAGE 

Four Eventful Years— Sorrow upon Sorrow — Blessing after Blessing — 
" Aunt Mary Ann " — "Bertie and Jamie " — " Fannie and Fred- 
die " — The Professors and their Families — The Rev. Messrs. 
Adlam, Osier, and Alden 59 

CHAPTER XII. 

THE AUTHOR RESOLVES TO REVISIT ENGLAND. 

He Resigns His Pastorate — Proposes a Successor— The Farewell Ser- 
vice — Resolutions and a Purse — Arrives in England — The Guest 
of William King, Esq. — The Rev. Dr. Taylor — Why the Author 
cannot be His Successor — The Rev. Dr. B. Candlish — The Rev. 
Dr. Guthrie , 64 

CHAPTER XIII. 

THE REV. C. H. SPURGEON, THE BAPTIST ORATOR. 

The Metropolitan Tabernacle — Americans with Bowie Knives — The 
Opening Service — The Blind Man's Ecstasy — Spurgeon's Conti- 
nental Tour— Caricatures of the Papacy — The Baptistery at 
Pisa 68 



CHAPTER XIV. 

THE REV. C. H. SPURGEON's INCREASING INFLUENCE. 

His Enemies Disappointed — Ministerial Subtlety — Various Kinds of 
Evangelists — Consecrated Laymen — Richard Weaver — Reginald 
Radcliff^ — Mr. Thistlethwait — The Handsome English Nobleman 
— Bible Readings in Drawing-Rooms — Summary of Spur- 
geon's Ministry — The Orb of Revival Ascending Higher 75 

CHAPTER XV. 

" WHY DID THE AUTHOR RETURN TO THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH ?" 

How He was Led to Leave it — The Influence of a Companion — 
Where did Christ Command that Children be Baptized ? — He 
Could not Find the Passages — Embarrassed by " Close Com- 
munion " — Resolved to Return to the Church in which Bap- 
tized — Severe Mental Conflicts — Following the Path of Duty — 
Made a Deacon by Bishop Clark — Ordained Presbyter by Bishop 
Stevens — Other Ministers Follow His Example. 82 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

THE AUTHOR AT WORK IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

PAGE 

The Bishop's Church, Philadelphia — Trinity Church, Keokuk — ^Visit 
to Des Moines — The Guest of Bishop Lee — Trinity Church, 
Chicago — St. Paul's Church, Peoria — Is Organic Unity Practica- 
ble ? — Its Advantages — The Believer's Reunion , . go 



PART II. 
Prefatory Notes 102 

CHAPTER I. 

HISTORIC SKETCH OF PAROCHIAL MISSIONS IN AMERICA. 

Decisions of Several General Conventions — Bishop Huntington not 
Afraid of Revivals — Convocation at Christ Church, Oswego — An 
Evangelist Appointed — He is Cordially Greeted by the Clergy. . 105 

CHAPTER II. 

THE EVANGELIST COMMENCES HIS IMPORTANT WORK. 

Mission at Evan's Mills— At Phoenix — A Church Service in the Bap- 
tist Church — Resolutions of the Vestry to the Minister and Dea- 
cons — Mission in Calvary Church, Homer — Mission near Syra- 
cuse — A Closed Methodist Revival Recommenced — A Hearty 
Methodist Brother no 

CHAPTER III. 

A CLOSED CHURCH IN LOWVILLE REOPENED. 

Mission in Trinity Church, Lowville — Difficulties Forgotten — The 
New Rector — The Bishop Appoints an Assistant — Large 
Congregations — Mission in the Church of the Evangelists, 
Oswego — The Doxology after Sermons — Inappropriate Hymns 
— Changed Mode of Convocation Services 117 

CHAPTER IV. 

NO EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN DE RUYTER. 

Mission in the Town Hall — Services in the Methodist Church — 
Church Services Desired — Mission at Port Byron — Presbyterian 
Church Loaned for the Services — Lecture in Masonic Hall — Mis- 
sion at Ithaca — Mission at Oxford 125 



CONTENTS. xi 

- CHAPTER V. 
MISSION IN ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH, UTICA. 

PAGE 

Sermons in Grace Church — In Calvary Church — Missions in Other 
Places — Brethren Remembered — Bishop Huntington's Cheering 
Circular 130 

CHAPTER VI. 

*'WHAT IS AN EVANGELIST ?" 

His Work of Two Kinds — The Hearer who has Weathered a Thousand 
Ordinary Sermons — The Mission Thoroughly Tested in England 
— The Best Mission the One that Lasts during the Year — 
-Rubrical Elasticity — New Pentecosts Desired 135 

chapt:pr vn. 

WHY THE EVANGELIST LEFT CENTRAL NEW YORK. 

Advice of the Rev. Dr. De Koven Acted upon — The Steamship City of 
Antwerp — A Bishop's Cry, " Save Me !" — Safe Arrival in Liver- 
pool — St. Peter's, Dulwich — St. Paul's Cathedral, London — 
Canterbury Cathedral — Canon Robertson Unwilling to Witness 
Stealing — The Retreat at Cowley — The Rule of Silence — The 
Retreat a Blessed Means of Grace — Letters to the Church 
Journal 141 

CHAPTER VHL 

THE NATIONAL THANKSGIVING IN ST. PAUL'S, LONDON. 

Appearance of the Cathedral — Persons who were Present — His 
Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury Preaches — -The Sermon — 
A Brief Extract — Service the next Sunday 147 

CHAPTER IX. 

ADVENT SERMONS IN ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL, 

National Solemnity — The Mind Impressible — Canon Liddon's Advent 

Sermons — His Lectures to Young Men — Canon Gregory's , 
Lectures in St. Paul's — Innocents' Day in Westminster Abbey — 
The Dean's Sermon to Children — The Dean's Courtesy — His 
Excellent Wife 154 



xii ■ CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER X. 

A BRIEF VISIT TO THE CONTINENT OF EUROPE. 

PAGE 

" Sunny Italy" — St. Peter's, Rome — The Coliseum — The American 
Church — Naples and Vesuvius — Pompeii and Herculaneum — 
Florence — Bishop Stevens' Visit Appreciated — The Bishop and 
Mrs. Stevens in Paris — A Pleasant Interview 159 

CHAPTER XI. 

THE PRELENT CLERICAL RETREAT AT COWLEY. 

The Rev. Father Benson — The Various Services — The Good Results 
— Consecration of the Bishop-Elect — Services in Oxford Churches 
— The Clerical Retreat in St. Paul's Cathedral 165 

CHAPTER XII. 

THELONDON PRELENT 'MISSION COMMENCED. 

Services in St. Paul's Cathedral — The Mission in Westminster Abbey 
— Prominent Missioners — The Archbishop of York — Melville 
— Pym — Earl Mulgrave — George Bodington — George Body 
—W. H. Aitken 172 

CHAPTER XIII. 

MIDNIGHT GOSPEL SERVICES TO RESCUE THE FALLEN. 

The Argyle Rooms — St. Peter's Church Filled — Appearance of the 
Audience — The Gift of a Residence — Lady Gladstone — Midnight 
Missions at Other Centres — Fallen Women Rescued 183 

CHAPTER XIV. 

THE MISSION THANKSGIVING SERVICE. 

The Preacher of the Sermon — Thanking God that Bishops are Leaders 

— Manifest Results of the Mission — The Grand Te Deum 188 

CHAPTER XV. 

NUMEROUS MISSIONS HELD IN VARIOUS PLACES. 

Converts Steadfast — General Church Life — Christians Rejoicing that 

the Church is Awake — York Minster — Bristol Cathedral 192 



CONTENTS. xiii 



CHAPTER XVI. 
RESULTS OF THE PAROCHIAL MISSIONS. 

PAGE 

Elastic Use of the Liturgy — Clerical Harmony — After-meetings — 
Evangelists Needed — Canon Fremantle — Advice to Clergymen — 
What is " Guinea-Pig Tameness "?......., t 196 



PART III. 
Prefatory Notes 201 

CHAPTER I. 

REASONS FOR THE AUTHOR'S SPEEDY RETURN TO AMERICA. 

The Duty of Christ's Church — Christian Bodies Active — Proportion 
of Churchmen to the Population — Unemployed Clergymen — 
Statistics Misleading — Unreasonable Expectations — Practical 
Questions — The Apostles Resolved and Acted — A Bishop's 
Lamentation — Faith and Works — Imitating Methodists — The 
Church Sky Brightens — The Wonderful Contrast , 191 

CHAPTER IL 

LECTURES ON THE GREAT REVIVAL IN THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. 

Visits to Various Dioceses — Large Congregations — Gospel Work at 
Midnight — Revival Lectures in New York City — Brooklyn — 
Newark — Connecticut — Philadelphia — Germantown — Baltimore 
— Washington — Detroit — Chicago — Peoria — Davenport — Jack- 
son and Vicksburg, Miss. . , , 219 

CHAPTER III. 

THE DEATH OF THE RT. REV. H. C. WHITEHOUSE, D.D., LL.D. 

The Bishop's Sudden Illness — His Unexpected Death — The Bishop's 
Prophetic Farewell — Sorrow of the Diocese — The Solemn 
Funeral Services — The Funeral Oration by Bishop Lee — The 
Funeral Service in Trinity Church, New York — The Bishop of 
I0W9, soon Followed Him to Paradise 229 

CHAPTER IV. 

REVIVAL LECTURES IN CATHEDRALS AND CHURCHES IN CANADA. 

Several Cities Visited — The Lectures well Attended — Bishops and 
Clergy Interested — The People Rejoice — Notices of the Revival 
Lectures — Preparing the Way for Parochial Missions 240 



xiv CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER V. 
INTRODUCTION OF PAROCHIAL MISSIONS IN CANADA. 

PAGE 

Mission in Christ Church Cathedral, Montreal — St. Jude's Church- 
Lectures on Missions in St, Paul's, London, Huron — The Rev. 
W. S. Rainsford's Mission in St. Paul's Cathedral, London — 
Many Sinners Saved — The Very Rev. Dean Grazette Delighted — 
The Wonderful Mission in St. James' Cathedral, Toronto, . . . , . 245 

CHAPTER VL 

THE CHURCH REVIVAL IN INDIANAPOLIS. 

The Rev. P. B. Morgan's Mission at Indianapolis — The Rev, E, A. 
Bradley and Other Rectors of the City — Bishop Talbot's Hearty 
Approval of the Mission — The Mission's Manifest Results — 
A Christian Woman's Letter 250 

CHAPTER Vn. 

BISHOPS IN FAVOR OF EVANGELISTIC SERVICES. 

The Rev. P. B. Morgan's " Aggressive Work " — Plans an " Evangeli- 
zation Society "—Numerous Bishops Affix their Signatures — Ad- 
dresses in its Favor — No Fund for the Support of Evangelists ! — 
Bishop H. Potter's Appeal for the Diocesan Mission Treasury — 
The Bishop of Long Island's Echo — The Church Called " a Beg- 
gar !" — Are Evangelists Needed in the East? — How to Provide 
for their Support 254 

CHAPTER VIII. 

MISSION IN THE HOUSE OF PRAYER, NEWARK, N. J. 

Christ Denied by Peter — Satan Frustrated — Peter's Subsequent Faith- 
fulness — Services Good Friday — The Saviour's Last Words — 
Services Easter Sunday — The Brilliant Chancel — The Music and 
Sermon — Service in the Afternoon — New Choristers Vested — 
Closing Sermon of the Mission — The Risen Christ Enthroned . . 266 

CHAPTER IX. 

MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY. 

Forenoon Bible Readings — Afternoon Services for Women only — 
Evening Services in the Church — Large Class Confirmed — The 
Rev. W. S. Rainsford, of England — The Gospel Tent — Good 
Results 269 



CONTENTS. XV 

CHAPTER X. 

MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION, BROOKLYN. 

PAGE 

The Bishop's Pastoral — The Rector's Programme — General Report 
— Results of the Mission — The Bishop's Interest in Evangelistic 
Services not of Recent Origin , 274 

CHAPTER XI. 

THE HOUSE OF LAY EVANGELISTS. 

Its Specific Design — Open-Air Services — Report of the Head of the 
House — Summary of Six Months' Work — Mission in the Gospel 
Tent, New York , , 287 

CHAPTER XII. 

PAROCHIAL MISSIONS INTRODUCED IN NEW ORLEANS, LA. 

The Mission in Calvary Church — The Bishop's Interest in the Ser- 
vices — A Suicide Prevented — Mission in Mobile, Ala. — Missions 
in Birmingham — -Bishop Wilmer's Foresight — Missions in Louis- 
yille, Ky. — The Evangelist in Indiana , 302 

CHAPTER XIII. 

THE MISSION IN TRINITY CHURCH, WASHINGTON, D. C. 

Twelve Days' Mission in the Church of the Incarnation — Bible 
Readings in Lincoln Hall — Sermons in the Church of the As- 
cension — Wesley and " Dear Sammy " — Financial Salt 313 

CHAPTER XIV. 

THE GREAT TEMPERANCE MISSION IN WASHINGTON, D. C. 

Mr. Edward Murphy in Lincoln Hall^An Irish Blessing — The Cost 
of " the Blue Ribbon " — Mass-meeting on Capitol Hill — The 
Speakers Suddenly Disappearing , ,,.,,, , 320 

CHAPTER XV. 

THE HON. T. L. TULLOCK, THE LATE POSTMASTER. 

An Old Friend who was Generally Respected — By Relatives and 
Intimate Friends he was much Beloved — He Allowed no 
Friend to Suffer if he could Relieve Him — His Death Lamented 
— The Solemn Funeral — Published Testimonials 325 



xvi CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

THE AUTHOR REVISITS SCOTLAND AND ENGLAND. 

PAGE 

Services on Board the Circassia — The Rev. Lindsay Parker — Service 
in the Steerage — Dumfries, Scotland — "The Man who Blows 
His own Trumpet " — Friends Departed 332 

CHAPTER XVII. 

EVANGELISTIC SERVICES IN STROUD, SOMERSETSHIRE, 

A Temperance Hall Opened — A Stirring Lecture — Topics of the 
Gospel Services — The Salvation Army — Valuable Testimonials 
— Converts Pay their Bills 335 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

THE GENERAL MISSION AT LUTON, BEDFORDSHIRE. 

St. Mary's Church Crowded — Services for Women only — Service at 
the Poor-house — A Novel After-meeting — Surpliced Choristers 
among the Inquirers 339 

CHAPTER XIX. 

THE PAROCHIAL MISSION IN ROCHESTER, N. V. 

The Mission in St. Luke's Church — The Mission of Jonah to the 
Ninevites — The Mission at Clifton Springs — The Mission in 
Bloomfield — Services in the Presbyterian Church 343 

CHAPTER XX. 

MISSIONS IN VARIOUS CHURCHES. 

The Church of St. John the Evangelist, the Anthon Memorial — The 
Chapel of the Reconciliation, New York — Christ Chapel, Brook- 
lyn — St, James' Church — St. Luke's Church, Pittsburg 348 



PART IV. 
Prefatory Notes 351 

CHAPTER L 

THE STEAMSHIP CITY OF ROME. 

The Rev. Dr. Freshman — The Conversion of His Father — Religious 
Discussion — Services in the Grand Saloon — Devout Thanks- 
giving — Safe Arrival in Liverpool 355 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER II. 
THE AUTHOR AGAIN IN OLD ENGLAND. 

PAGE 

The Guest of an Old Friend— The Scene of Former Labors — " The 
Grave of Bertie's Mother " — Rustic Politeness Remembered — 
Hasty Visits to Many Places— The Death of the Author's 
Mother r ,,.,,,,,,, i » • 358 



CHAPTER III. 

THE AUTHOR AND HIS SON AT SURREY MOUNT. 

St. Peter's Church, Forest Hill — The Faithful Labors of the Vicar — 
The Bishop of London — The Bishop of Rochester — The Bishop 
of Lichfield — Lay Helpers Welcomed — The Archbishop of 
Canterbury — The London Scandal — The Purity Society — The 
Right Rev. H. C. Potter, D.D 364 

CHAPTER IV. 

HOMEWARD BOUND AND HOME AGAIN. 

Fellow-Passengers — General Moore — Various Entertainments — Dr. 
Collyer — Edward Murphy — Dr. Freshman-— The First Hebrew 
Christian Church in New York , 372 

CHAPTER V. 

ADVENT SERMONS IN ST. MARK'S MEMORIAL CHAPEL. 

The Rev. Brockholst Morgan — The Rev. Dr. Kramer — The Minister 
in Temporary Charge — Subjects of the Advent Sermons — The 
Soul's Biblical Balance-sheet — Profit or Loss ? , 375 

CHAPTER VI. 

THE PERMANENT MINISTER OF ST. MARK'S CHAPEL. 

He has the Spirit of a Missioner — Sketch of his Evangelistic Work — 
The Evangelistic Services in Philadelphia — A Sermon Preached 
in a Theatre , ,,, , , 382 

CHAPTER VII. 

OTHER PAROCHIAL MISSIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA. 

Christ Church, Oil City — St. John's Church, Franklin — Bradford, 
Pa. — St. Timothy's Church, Massillon, Ohio — Trinity Church — 
St. Philip's Church, Philadelphia 390 



XYiii CONTENTS, 



CHAPTER VIII. 
THE AUTHOR WITH OLD FRIENDS AGAIN. 

PAGE 

The Great Eastern — Miss Louise Thompson — Her Benevolent 
Father — Mrs. Thompson and Mrs. Griffith Bereaved — The 
Author their Guest — Meets Former Vestrymen — Guest of the 
Rev. S. Durborow , 395 

CHAPTER IX. 

REOPENING OF ST. MARK'S IN THE BOWERY. 

The Reopening of the Church — Great Improvements — The Rector's 
Sermons — Archdeacon Farrar — The Reunion of Christendom 
— The Funeral of the Rector's Son — The Memorial Altar Cross 
— The Rector's Grandson, Joseph Boseman Rylance 399 

CHAPTER X. 

IN MEMORIAM THE REV. S. H. TYNG, SR., D.D. 

The Doctor's Frankness — His Affectionate Letters — He Preaches in 
a Surplice — The Rev. Dr. Williams — The Rev. W. S. Rainsford 
— The Surpliced Choir — The Old Gospel still Preached 403 

CHAPTER XL 

THE FUNERAL OF THE REV. S. H. TYNG, D.D. 

The Rev. Dr. Tyng's Retirement from His Evangelistic Battle — The 
Gospel Warrior Asleep in Jesus — The Sources of His Influence 
— The Funeral Address — The Memorial Sermon — Dr. Tyng as 
an Orator, a Leader, and a much-beloved Pastor 406 

CHAPTER XII. 

THE MISSION AT ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH, NEWBURG. 

Preparation for the Mission — The Parish Active — The Mission Ser- 
vices — Large Congregations — Services for Men Only — For Wom- 
en Only — Results of the Mission , 42 1 

CHAPTER XIII. 

THE MISSION IN ST. LUKE'S CHURCH, BROOKLYN. 

One of the Preparatory Services — The Mission Commenced — The 
Growing Interest — Statistics of Results— The Rector and Parish 
Encouraged 424 



CONTENTS. xix 



PART V. 
Prefatory Notes 431 

CHAPTER I. 

THE NEW YORK ADVENT MISSION. 

The Committee of Arrangements — English Missioners Invited — The 
Preparatory Meetings^ — Special Reasons for the Mission — The 
Crux at Last — The Sudden Death of the Bishop of Florida 436 

CHAPTER II. 

THE RETREAT AT GARRISON'S, N. Y. 

The Daily Services — The Solemn Addresses — The Quiet Seasons — 
How the Intervals were Spent — Was the Retreat Profitable ? — 
General Impression of the Clergy 441 

CHAPTER III. 

THE PREPARATORY DEVOTIONAL SERVICE. 

Bishops who were Present — The Words of Welcome — The Apprecia- 
ted Sermon — The Proposed Mission Churchly — A Quiet Work 
Desirable — The Model Missioner — Wise Cautions — The Church 
of England — " We are but a Part " — Christian Sympathy Appre- 
ciated — The Bishop's Philanthropy 445 

CHAPTER IV. 

THE EVE OF THE NEW YORK ADVENT MISSION. 

A Religious Mass-meeting — The Woman and Her Saviour — The 
Rev. Dr. Kramer — Reception of Missioners — The Quiet Hour — 
Excitement Discouraged — Bishop Elliott's Pastoral 448 

CHAPTER V. 

THE FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MISSION. 

The Mission in Calvary Church — The Rt. Rev. Missioners — Bishop 
Elliott's Solemn Sermon — Afternoon Services for Men Only — 
Bishop Tuttle Preached in the Evening ' 453 

CHAPTER VI. 

THE THANKSGIVING SERVICE IN CALVARY CHURCH. 

Bishop Tuttle's Address — Thank God and Take Courage — The 
Address of Bishop Elliott — The Triune Benediction — Dr. Satter- 
lee's Address — Manifest Results of the Mission 457 



XX CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER VII. 

THE MISSION IN CALVARY CHAPEL. page 

The Missioners — The Various Services — The American Government 
— The Almighty Dollar Worshipped — The Dean's Devoted 
Sister— Her Useful Labors — Bishop Walker — The Rev. F. W. 
Tompkins , 463 

CHAPTER VIII. 

THE MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN. 

The Rector and the Missioners- — The Rich Man and Lazarus — The 
Chancel not Bright — Father Betts's Sermon— The End of All 
Things — The After-meeting — Description of the Missioners — 
Some Results of the Mission 470 

CHAPTER IX. 

MISSION AT ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH, STUYVESANT SQUARE. 

The Vision of the Holy Jehovah — The Prophet Isaiah Prostrated — 
The Voice of Mercy — Sermon for Men Only — The Standard of 
Righteousness — The Mission to Children — Little Foxes Spoil the 
Vines 476 

CHAPTER X. 

THE MISSION'S THANKSGIVING SERVICE IN ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH. 

Missioner Aitken's Closing Sermon — All Jews not True Israelites — 
All who have been Baptized not Real Christians — Characteristics 
of the True Christian— Onward and Upward — The Opposite 
Direction — Some of the Mission's Results 482 

CHAPTER XL 

AFTER THE MISSION IN ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH. 

Sermon to Men Only — The Widow of Nain — Christ's Mandate 
Obeyed — Analogy between a Dead Body and a Dead Soul — " O 
God, Save me for my Mother's Sake !" — " I Say unto Thee, 
Arise !" 488 

CHAPTER XII. 

MISSIONER aitken's LAST SERMON TO MEN ONLY. 

The Last Sermon to Men Only — " Will ye also go away ?"— Opposite 
Forces — Christ the Divine Centre — The Science of Skeptics — 
The Brain Phospliate of Lime — The Eccentric Cornish Evange- 
list — The Final After-meeting 492 



CONTENTS. xxi 



CHAPTER XIII. 

ST. GEORGE'S MISSION IN AVENUE A. page 

A Beer Saloon Secured — Gospel Services Therein — A Sunday-School 
Opened — A Discharged Prisoner — The Bishop of London Sur- 
prised — The Premier and the Crossing-Sweeper 497 

CHAPTER XIV. 

MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY. 

The People Familiar with Mission Work — The Rev. W. F. Watkins, 
D.D. — The Rev. K. Mackenzie — The Rev. E. Walpole Warren, 
M.A. — His Style of Preaching— The Relation of Striking Inci- 
dents — A Wealthy Lady Saved — A Spendthrift Converted — A 
Liquor Merchant Penitent ^ 501 

CHAPTER XV. 

THE MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 

The New Church — The Chantry and Rectory — The Surpliced Choir — 
The Missioner — Services for Women Only — "Young Harry 
Freeman" .... 513 

CHAPTER XVI. 

THE MISSION IN ZION CHURCH AND THE CHURCH OF THE 

INCARNATION. 

The Mission Preachers — The Rev. R. B. Ransford, of London — The 
Rev. H. Carmichael, of Canada — The Spurned Festival — Threat- 
enings Fulfilled — " It is now too Late !" 517 

CHAPTER XVII. 

THE MISSION IN THE CHAPEL OF THE RECONCILIATION. 

The Rev. Campbell Fair, D.D., Missioner, the Rev. N. Perkins, 
Minister — The Services well Attended — Sudden Conversions — 
The Missioner and Pastor Encouraged 521 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

THE MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER. 

The Rev. Father Benson — Father Grafton — The Brotherhood not 
Easily Discouraged — Large Congregations at the Church of the 
Redeemer — The Missioner's Earnestness 526 



xxii CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

THE MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY COMMUNION. 

PAGE 

Preparation for the Mission — The Rev. Dr. Courtney, the Missioner 
— Circular Defining the Mission — Programme of the Daily Ser- 
vices — The Rector Greatly Encouraged — Lay Workers' Asso- 
ciation 529 

CHAPTER XX. 

THE MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE HEAVENLY REST. 

Extracts from the Rev. D. Parker Morgan's Pastoral — The Mis- 
sioner's Appeal — The Immortality of the Soul — The Bible Read- 
ings — Requests for Prayer— Results of the Mission 535 

CHAPTER XXI. 

THE ADVENT MISSION AT ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH. 

Missioner Van De Water — Subjects of His Sermons — Afternoon Ad- 
dresses — Children's Services — The After-meetings — The Rev. 
Dr. Peters's Interest in Parochial Missions 543 

CHAPTER XXII. 

MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST. 

The Wainwright Memorial — The Rector's Improvements — The Rev. 
J. O. Bache— The Missioners— The Rev. A. C. Bunn, M.D.— 
The Rev. H. L. Foote — The Attendance — Influence of the 
Services — Special Petitions — The Future Harvest — The Mission- 
er's Bereavement 547 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

THE MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY. 

Preparation for the Mission — The Earnest Missioner — Not Afraid of 
Holy Enthusiasm— The Rector's Inquiries — The Be^ Fruits of 
the Mission — When Satan Trembles 550 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

THE MISSION IN ST. PHILIP'S CHURCH. 

Preparation for the Mission — Missioner Crapsey — The Congrega- 
tions Large — The Transforming Power of Gold — The Mission 
for Seamen — Father Remington's Open-Air Mission 555 



CONTENTS. xxiii 



CHAPTER XXV. 

THE MISSION IN THE CHURCH QF THE HOLY TRINITY, HARLEM. 

PAGE 

The Missioner's Style — Large Congregations — Sinners Converted — 
The Rector's Sermon — Results of the Mission — Style of the 
Rector 561 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

THE MISSION IN ST. MARK'S MEMORIAL CHAPEL. 

The Mission Preachers — The Serpent of Intemperance — Reuben's 
Instability — Address by the Rev. Brockholst Morgan — The 
Address by Mr. Faure — The Children Happy — "True Inward- 
ness " 567 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

THE MISSION AT THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY APOSTLES. 

A Description of the Missioner — The Thanksgiving Sermon — The 
Parting Celebration — The Farewell After-meeting — The After 
Results of the Mission — A Cheering Letter 572 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

SPECIAL ADVENT SERMONS NOT TERMED A MISSION. 

Why did not Dr. Dunnell have a Mission ? — Visit All Saints' Church, 
Corner of Henry and Scammell Streets-^Canon Wilberforce 
Prostrated — Eminent New York Rectors — Their Advent Sermons 
— St. Chfysostom's Chapel. 577 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

THE NOONDAY MISSION IN TRINITY CHURCH. 

Subjects of the Sermons — The Snares of Commercial Life — A 
Gambler Suddenly Converted — The Growing Influence of the 
Services — The Curious Arts of Mammon — Bulling and Bearing 
— The Accommodating Grocer 582 

CHAPTER XXX. 

MISSIONER AITKEN'S FAREWELL SERMON IN OLD TRINITY. 

The Rt. Rev. H. C. Potter, D.D.— The Missioner Grateful to the 
Rev. Dr. Dix — Going in Opposite Directions — A Prodigal Son — 
His Painful Confession — Appalling Disclosures — The Audience 
Deeply Moved , 591 



xxiv CONTENl^S. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

MORNING SERVICES FOR PROMOTION OF GROWTH IN GRACE. 

PAGE 

Early Celebration of the Holy Communion — Services for the Pro- 
m_otion of Holiness — Services for ^Vomen Only — "Who is Mrs. 
Crouch ?" — The After-meetings — Inquiry Meetings — Private 
Interviews , 597 

CHAPTER XXXII. 

THE SPECIFIC OBJECT OF MISSION PREACHERS. 

The Bewildered Tourist — Dangerous Precipices — Brinks of Moral 
Danger — Missioners not Ranters — How to Truly Repent and 
Come to Christ — Doctrinal Character of Mission Sermons 606 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 

ORATORICAL GIFTS OF THE MISSIONERS. 

The most Successful Preachers — The Source of Pulpit Power — The 
Rev. R. B. Ransford— The Rev. E. W. Warren— The Very 
Rev. Dean Hart— The Rev. G. R. Van De Water— The Rev. 
Mr. Thompson — The Rev. J. Stephens 610 

CHAPTER XXXIV. 

THE REV. W. HAY AITKEN, M.A. 

His First Evangelistic Labors — A Curate at St. Jude's Church — The 
Vicar of Everton — His Personal Appearance — His Style of 
Oratory — His Churchmanship — ''Pure, Genial Mirthfulness, 
Here and in Heaven" 619 

CHAPTER XXXV. 

THE MANIFEST RESULTS OF THE ADVENT MISSION. 

The Mission a Benefit to the Clergy — To Laymen— To Non-Com- 
municants — Summary of the Mission's Results — Testimony of 
the New York Independent — The Rev. Dr. Satterlee Hopeful — 
The Parochial Mission Society 625 

CHAPTER XXXVi. 

THE NEW YORK ADVENT MISSION FLAME EXTENDING. 

The Rev. W. S. Rainsford in Detroit — His Cordial Reception — The 
Bishop and the Clergy Heartily Co-operate with the Missioner — 
General Interest in the Services 635 



CONTENTS, XXV 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 

MISSIONS IN NASHVILLE AND NEW ORLEANS. page 

Reception of the Missioners — Missioner Aitken Interviewed — The 
Unusual Interest in the Services — A Good Word for Evangelist 
Moody — Work for Christ Important — Converts not like a 
Wound-up Watch — Farewell Greetings 637 

CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

FAREWELL SERVICES IN EAST ORANGE, N. J. 

The Rink Crowded — The Addresses of Bishops Starkey and Potter 
— The Reply by Missioner Aitken — The Farewell Sermon — 
. Three Thousand People Patiently Listen — The Closing Extem- 
pore Prayer — The Solemn Stillness, 646 

CHAPTER XXXIX. 

THE EVANGELISTS HOMEWARD BOUND. 

Farewell Salutations — The Missioner's "God Bless You !" — Safe 
Arrival in England — Reception in London — Missioner Aitken's 
Opinion of the Church in America — Missioner Pigou's Impres- 
sions of the Church in America 653 

CHAPTER XL. 

EZEKIEL'S VISION OF THE RESURRECTION. 

The Valley full of Bones — Sin-dead Souls Quickened — The South 
London Mission — The Bishop of Lichfield's Lay Evangelists — 
Financial Proof of Religious Vitality — The Late Bishop of Man- 
chester — Missioner Aitken at Cambridge — The Parochial Mis- 
sion Spreading — American Missioners Increasing — The Mission 
in St. Paul's Cathedral, Syracuse — Missions in Other Cities. .... 656 

CHAPTER XLI. 

THE BISHOPS OF THE DIOCESE OF NEW YORK. 

Bishop Horatio Potter's Permission to Use an Abbreviated Liturgical 
Service — Bishop Henry C. Potter's Address to the Clergy — His 
Sermons to Women — " What is Personal Wholeness ?" — A Strik- 
ing Incident — Suddenly Saved — Suddenly in Paradise 665 

CHAPTER XLII. 

FATHER OSBORNE AT TRINITY CHURCH. 

The Battle of the Cross of Christ — Description of the Preacher — . 
The Ministers the Times Need — " The Church must be Wide 



XX vi CONTENTS. 



and Flexible in its Methods" — "The Armory of Heaven is not 
Empty " 672 

CHAPTER XLIII. 

TIMELY PREPARATION FOR A MISSION ESSENTIAL. 

Miscellaneous Services not a Mission — Before the Mission — During 
the Mission — After the Mission — Applications for Missioners — 
The Rev. Father Hall — His Judicious Advice — The Bishop of 
Bedford — " A Mission is a Beginning, not an Ending " 686 

CHAPTER XLIV. 

THE RALLYING POWER OF REVIVAL HYMNS. 

How the Early Methodists Learned Theology — The "Marseillaise" 
— "Rule Britannia" — "The Star-Spangled Banner" — "Hold 
the Fort " — Hymn by the Rev. C. A. Coxe, 1840 — Final Victory 
Assured 693 

CHAPTER XLV. 

EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS RESPECTING THE ADVENT MISSION. 

Letter from Yeovil, England — From the Rev. Dr. Pliny B. Morgan 
— From the Rev. Robert Paul — From the Rev. Dr. Townsend — 
From Bishop Littlejohn — From Bishop Huntington 697 

CHAPTER XLVL 

THE author's FAREWELL. 

The Symbolic Mission Angel — Spiritual Sunshine — A Comprehensive 
Prayer — Missioners Departing — A Premature Question Reiter- 
ated — The Author's Portrait Camera — Its Lenses Catholic 
— Desire to be Accurate — Christ, let me come to Thee — The 
Gloria Patri , 705 



INTRODUCTORY. 



Numerous questions have been asked concerning the 
"Parochial Mission:" (a) " PFAy do we need ''the mission' 
when the Rectors, through the parish system, may do all that the 
mission proposes 2' ' Since the institution of " the parish 
system" the times have changed, and its primitive effi- 
ciency has almost departed. In a primitive parish the mayor 
was a secular ruler, the Rector an ecclesiastical ruler. 
No aspiring alderman could usurp the functions of the 
mayor ; no ambitious ecclesiastic could exercise the func- 
tions of the instituted Rector. Even a secular teacher could 
not impart instruction within the limits of parish boun- 
daries without the Rector's consent. But after the *' Ref- 
ormation" the " de-formation" of the parish system began. 
Under the " Toleration Act" Christians were permitted to 
conduct religious services in any mode that most pleased 
them. Yet for many years whoever would not willingly 
pay the amount assessed by the church-wardens and 
vestrymen toward the support of the parish, the sheriff, 
though a bailiff, seized the delinquent's furniture, and 
it was sold at auction to cover the amount of his in- 
debtedness. But as the years rolled on divisions among 
the " Dissenters," who dissented from each other, in- 
creased the number of residents w^ithin parish boundaries 
who claimed the right to worship " as their fickle 
consciences approved," in defiance of the Vicar, or 
Rector, or the Bishop. Agriculturists, by the payment 



xxviii INTROD UCTOR V. 



of a specified sum, as the equivalent for the tenth of the 
probable future harvests, will receive no " tithe bills" here- 
after. All who will not avail themselves of this legfal 
" commutation of the tithe of the land " as heretofore 
must pay their harvest tithe or its equivalent in money ; 
for, though they never enter the parish church, they live 
within the parish boundaries. Long ago Churchmen before 
they departed " this life" bequeathed the '' tithed " lands 
for the support of the Church. Therefore, is any injustice 
done to the farmers who live on farms for a tenth of 
the " annual value" deducted ? Should the ancient ** law 
concerning tithes" hereafter be rescinded, how much 
would the endowed parishes be compelled to deduct from 
contributions for the support of " foreign missions," and 
the benevolent objects to which parish offertories now 
enable the Rectors to contribute ? 

(d) " Can the Rector of a parish limit the number of re- 
ligious bodies who ?nay worship God within the parochial lim- 
its V In any church or parish building no services may be 
held without permission of 'the Rector or church-wardens. 
In buildings owned or hired by " Dissenters" there is now 
no law to interfere with any of the various forms of wor- 
ship. No Church " canon" nor secular statute can now 
restrain their freedom. A church clergyman can prevent 
any deviation from the established order of worship in his 
own church, chapel, or school-room, but he may not in- 
terfere with the multiform forms or the elastic ritual of 
other Christians. The eulogized " parish system," there- 
fore, is reduced to the privilege left to a Rector or Vicar to 
say only to a clergyman of the Church of England : " Your 
request to officiate within my parochial boundaries I de- 
cline to grant. " 

The same is true respecting the diocese. In nearly every 
diocese in England the Roman Catholics, the Free Church, 



INTRODUCTORY. xxix 



the Reformed Church, the Presbyterians, the Methodists, 
the Congregationalists, the Baptists, the Quakers, and 
even infidels, claim the right to hold public services in any 
diocese on Sundays or on week-days. Though the Bishop 
may say, " You are trespassers within my diocesan limits, 
I bid you depart ;" like the Rector of a parish, the Bishop 
is also powerless to compel obedience to his mandate ! So 
in America, the " Roman Catholic Bishop," the " Meth- 
odist Episcopal Bishop," the *' Protestant Episcopal 
Bishop," the " Reformed Episcopal Bishop," each claim 
the same geographical territory ; but each is powerless to 
expel the rival claimants. The glory of the primitive dio- 
cesan privileges and of parochial rights is by different 
bodies of Christians eclipsed. There is but little prospect 
that " the parish system" will be restored to its primitive 
brightness ; through its eclipse we truly confess, " we have 
left undone those ihiftgs which we ought to have do7ie.'' 

The Bishop of Argyle says : "... In the light of the 
Spirit of Truth we must learn to recognize not only 
our own weakness and feebleness as a portion of Christ's 
Church — for this is evident enough to all the world — ■ 
but we must learn also to recognize our own sinfulness 
and unfaithfulness, our own worldliness and lukewarm- 
ness. We are surrounded by multitudes of our fellow- 
countrymen who believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, who 
worship Him as God, who rely upon His atoning death, 
who hope for His return, and yet who seem to us not to 
be following Him fully in the ways of His Church. Let us 
never venture to lift up ourselves against such in a spirit 
of self-complacency. We may rejoice in possessing an 
apostolic ministry, and give thanks that the Divine Pres- 
ence of Jesus in His Holy Sacrament has not been with- 
drawn from our altars. But what will these blessings avail 
us in the Day of Judgment if, in spite of all, we ourselves 



XXX IN TROD UCTOR V. 



shall then be weighed in the balances and be found want- 
ing ? In that great day it is to be feared that there will be 
many Bishops, Clergy and Churchmen on the left hand 
who will receive only the sorer condemnation on account 
of their high privileges ; while on the right hand it is cer- 
tain that multitudes will find mercy, who, though by de- 
vious paths, have at last attained unto Him in whom alone 
is eternal salvation, Jesus Christ the Lord. Let us see to 
it, then, that, realizing our own shortcomings, we shun all 
self-sufficient pride or arrogance in thought, word, or deed 
toward those of our brethren round about us who call upon 
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and yet who follow 
not with us. . . . Reflections suggested by such ques- 
tions as these must of necessity humble us, and, if we are 
being led by the Holy Spirit, we shall not only be contrite 
toward God, but also modest and charitable in all we say 
and do with regard to other Christian brethren, remem- 
bering always that humility and charity are not only con- 
sistent with, but should be the necessary outcome of strong 
conviction, when that conviction is based upon truth." 

English Bishops confess that if *' the parish system" may 
not be supplemented by special Evangelistic efforts the 
object for which the parish was instituted — the spiritual 
nurture of all within its limits — must hopelessly fail. 

(c) ' ' Will not the adoption of the Parochial Mission inter- 
fere with the rights of Rectors V No Missioner may per- 
form any official act in an Episcopal Church without the 
special invitation or consent of its Rector. In view of 
the present condition of our " parish system," to co-oper- 
ate with the Rectors of parishes, to bring back some of those 
who have wandered or have been overlooked, and to repair 
its breaches, break up the fallow ground, and sow abundant 
Gospel seed that will bring forth much fruit is the desire 
of earnest Missioners. 



INTROD UCTOR Y. xxxi 



(^) '* What privileges has a parish Rector in any city ^ or town y 
or village that a Presbyterian^ Methodist, or any other clergyman 
who is not a Churchman does not possess T' The answer to this 
question is reserved for a revised edition of ** The Church 
Revived." But the author now unites with a Bishop in 
urging with emphasis that the mission cannot take the 
place of the pastorate. It does not pretend to complete 
anything, but^ only drafts men as raw recruits who must 
consent to be taught, examined and advised, as is required 
of all other catechumens. 

Missioners are loyal Churchmen. They preach no new doc- 
trines, teach no new precepts, prescribe no 7iew mode of ac- 
cepting the Saviour, advocate no new principles of religious 
life ; but, in the name of the Holy Trinity, they hold forth 
the torch of the Gospel to show the way into Christ's 
Church on earth. Missioners dearly love their Church, 
and strive to do what will promote her influence and add 
to her membership. In a missionary anniversary sermon 
by Bishop Huntington, preached in Calvary Church, he 
said : ' It is well to mend, to oil church machinery ; but 
into it let the living creatures of Ezekiel's symbolic vision 
of the Holy Spirit come. God will forgive us if, in our 
effort to save our brother, here or there we make a mis- 
take or overlook some prudent caution.' " 

'''' Let unsaved souls in f?iy parish perish, if they cannot be 
converted under my own ministrations," if not uttered in 
words, has sometimes been declared by the actions of Rec- 
tors who are not Calvinistic ! But the number who thus 
act is rapidly growing smaller ; and Missioners will oftener 
hear the request : " How soon can you come and aid me 
by conducting a mission in my parish ?" 

{e) ^'■As the Saviour founded His Church for the benefit of all 
people, in all places, until the end of the Gospel age, and the 
soul need of the human race is everywhere and always 



xxxii IN TROD UCTOR V. 



the same, and the Gospel amply provides for every true 
need of the soul, as well as for the soul needs of all 
people, while the faith once delivered to the saints no 
one may take from it nor add to it, is not the parochial 
mission a modern innovation on the established parish 
system ?" 

Modes of alluring sinners to the Saviour have varied 
with the exiofencies of different times and the idiosvncrasies 
of the people. The Missioners of the apostolic era did not 
confine their proclamation, " Behold the Lamb of God," 
etc., to the Lord's Day, nor their immediate successors to 
Sundays and saints' days. Through Gospel missions dio- 
ceses were first formed, and successive heathen nations be- 
came parts of Christendom ; but as years rolled on, and 
persecution ceased, the Church was rocked in the rich 
cradle of regal patronage until she slumbered, and Evan- 
gelistic missions were gradually discontinued. A few years 
ago a long-forgotten endowment fund for the support of 
" itinerant clergvmen," to do " the work of Evangelists" 
in England was discovered. A fund under the control of 
Canterbury" Cathedral has recently been augmented for 
the support of diocesan Missioners, who will not "lose 
their seat in convocation" because they are not Rectors 
of parishes, but will form part of the Cathedral clergy. 

(/) "Why are the sermons preached at missions more effec- 
tive than the Rector's sermons?" Amission is the intensifi- 
cation of " the means of grace." Victories on the battle- 
field are gained through concentration of the powers of 
warfare and the persistency of the warriors in attacking 
the enemy. Vast fortunes are made through the combi- 
nation of modern modes of banking and the monopolies 
of certain branches of business. Oceans are practically 
bridged and continents united through the concentration 
of the expanding force of steam. Commercial and friendly 



IN TROD UCTOR V. xxxiii 



converse between friend and bankers on either side of 
oceans is now daily held through submarine cables. 
Through the intensification of the elements of light mod- 
ern electric lamps turn night into day. On the eve of a 
Presidential election political forces are concentrated, and 
campaign orators loudly eulogize the candidate they most 
admire. And to move others to admire him, and to vote 
for him, they grow hoarse depicting his virtues and his 
rival's viciousness ! 

In the material and political realms wonders are 
achieved through intensification of the physical and ora- 
torical means to achieve them. " The God of nature" is 
also " the God of grace ;" and the rapid succession of mis- 
sion sermons awaken dormant energies and produce spirit- 
ual wonders. The sermons preached by Rectors make 
good impressions, but during the intervening week-days 
the cares for the things of this life obliterate or weaken 
the good impressions respecting what is heavenly. Why 
do the majority of most congregations leave the church 
just before the exhortation " to eat of that Bread and 
drink of that Cup," and through " a lively faith" receive 
great benefit ? At times, year after year, they have been 
"almost persuaded;" through the mission they may be 
" fully persuaded." Impression added to impression facil- 
itates decision of the will ; and at missions many who 
have procrastinated say : "As for me and my house, we 
will serve the Lord," or " I will arise and go to my Father, 
and will say unto Him, Father, I have sinned against Thee, 
and am no more worthy to be called Thy son." After the 
mission the Rector may lead them to the banquet of 
Church nurture, to receive sacramental strength to reach 
the realms of glory. In our churches are many persons 
who are called moral, but who have not been baptized. 
If told that they are no more Christians than men who 



xxxiv IN TR OD UC TOR Y. 



should call themselves " Masons" or " Odd Fellows" who 
have not taken the first degree of initiation at any lodge, 
they would feel insulted. " The moral but not religious 
(this is not a paradox) are always dangerous persons in 
our congregations. Their examples satisfy some to remain 
moral only. It may be questioned, Is a man moral who is 
not baptized, confirmed, a communicant ? but thousands of 
young men, and others, will not stop to make the distinc- 
tion ; with them a moral man is a good man ; but if God's 
Spirit is not there, the morality is a snare, and not a grace. 
To make the moral truly religious is one aim of the mis- 
sion, and an important one."* 

(g) As " retreats' ' for Clergy and Missioners are a Roman 
Catholic institution, what good may be expected?" So 
are dazzling celebrations, and the poverty of the priest- 
hood. Still, some clergymen of " our Church" admire a 
gorgeous ritual. Though Presbyters have not taken 
" the vow of poverty," some rich laymen compel many 
involuntarily to become very poor ! Retreats are concen- 
trated devotional services, that prepare the clergy for more 
efficient service as the ambassadors for Christ. " The clergy 
themselves require * stirring up.' All clergy do. Routine 
is our danger. Ember-days are not for the persons to be 
ordained only ; the * old minister' also requires prayer 
and unction. "f 

(/i) " Is not the after-meeting equivalent to the mourner's 
bench, or kneeling at the altar to be prayed for ? A be- 
loved Bishop who is now in Paradise yet speaketh : " The 
after-meeting is by general consent declared to be the 
most valuable feature of the mission. I conjecture that it 
is the most difficult of all to secure and guide. So im- 
portant is it to use personal intercourse, that I would en- 



* " Timely Topics," by the Rev. C. Fair, D.D. f /did. 



IN TROD UCTOR V. xxxv 



courage the clergy, with discreet lay-helpers, to converse 
with individuals quietly and modestly, either in the meet- 
ing or in the private house, as opportunity may serve." 

(/) "Are not the requests for prayers at missions equiva- 
lent to a person holding up his hand or standing up to be 
prayed for?" *' They are the same in principle as when the 
prayers of the congregation are asked for a * sick person,' 
and all the other reasons for which prayers are offered." 
Nothing can be more healthy in the spiritual life of a con- 
gregation than " requests for prayers ;" and if a mission 
draws out these "desires," let us thank God that the 
people are using this privilege of coming to the throne 
of grace for their particular wants." * 

(y) "Is not a notice that the Rector or Missioner will see 
persons privately for spiritual instruction in harmony 
with a Roman Catholic priest's invitation to " come to the 
confessional" ? Some persons seem more afraid of the con- 
fession of sin than the commission of sin. Whatever ob- 
jection may be made respecting " private interviews" at 
missions, it is in harmony with the rubric of the first ex- 
hortation in the ante-communion service, instructing the 
minister to give warning, saying : " If there be any of 
you . . . who cannot quiet his own conscience, . . . let 
him come to me or to some other Minister of God's word, 
and open his grief, that he may receive such godly counsel 
and advice as may tend to the quieting of his conscience 
and the removal of all scruple and doubtfulness." f Private 
interviews at a mission, held in harmony with the above, 
are not to hear sins of any kind confessed, but to assure the 
inquirer that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all 
sin, and that ** in Him is plenteous redemption." 

(^) " Will not a flexible use of the Prayer-book decrease 

* ' ' Timely Topics. ' ' f I^td. 



xxxvi IN TROD UC TOR Y. 



our reverence for it ? The parochial mission is specially 
designed for preaching the Gospel, and not solely for wor- 
ship. When the Rev. Canon KnOx Little preached his 
fervent sermons in Trinity Church, New York, had the full 
Morning Prayer preceded the sermon, only a few could 
have spared the time to attend the protracted service. 
When the eloquent Missioner Aitken preached in " Old 
Trinity " only a few persons would have been present had 
they not known that a brief service would precede the 
sermon. 

{/) ''^ Are extempore prayers, however brief, pertnitted by 
any canon or rubric V The old " Bidding Prayer" of the 
Church specified the subjects of prayer, but left the words 
to be supplied. Were not these words, so supplied, ex- 
tempore ? When the Bishop at ordination desires the con- 
gregation " to make their humble supplications to God," 
an opportunity is given where the personal breathing forth 
of every heart has authorized vent. This special occasion 
at ordination gives us the principle that upon like urgency 
the ** supplications of the congregation" can be personally 
expressed.* "Though a special service was used, it was 
Liturgical, and the prayers were all taken from the Prayer- 
book or else from the Bible. Thus the Liturgy was hon- 
ored, and. the words of the Prayer-book made familiar to 
many ears unaccustomed to its use. With the exception 
of a brief extempore prayer by the Rector at the morning 
service, and another by him at the close of the evening ser- 
vice, and sometimes one by the Missioner at the same ser- 
vice, all the worship was Liturgical. The liberty of extem- 
poraneous devotions was at all times tempered and chas- 
tened by the spirit of the Book of Common Prayer."f 

If Churchmen are expected to do nothing that the 

* " Timely Topics." \ The Rev. Dr. McKim. 



IN TROD UC TOR Y. xxxvii 



Roman Catholics or Episcopal Methodists do, much good 
may be " left undone !" The parochial mission is con- 
ducted in harmony with the Prayer-book ; and the ap- 
propriateness of the parts selected have surprised persons 
present at the services w^ho were not familiar with the 
variety of its devotional riches. The Prayer-book con- 
tains what is most appropriate for sober Evangelistic ser- 
vices ; and when Church Missioners depart from Church 
lines they will limit their usefulness. 

In the different religious bodies are many persons who 
believe in the Apostles' Creed, sing the " Venite," the " Te 
Deum,"and the " Gloria," and offer prayers in our Book 
of Common Prayer. Why should Churchmen be so sensi- 
tive if something done at missions to save souls who are 
perishing borders on modes that other Christians use to 
reach the same end ? It may not be for the welfare of our 
Church to enthrone " quiet" as an idol and anathematize 
holy fervor. The mission is analogous to the mission of 
John Baptist, who said : " I am the voice of one crying, in 
the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord !" 

'* What more was wanted than that which the Church 
has ever offered— frequent communions, constant services, 
prayer and praise, simple, earnest preaching, spiritual de- 
votions, the Scriptures explained, and the full exercise and 
expansion of every principle the Church permits ? If aught 
more was done, great is the responsibility on him who 
was more ardent than discreet." * 

In the excellent address at the devotional service for the 
Rectors and Missioners the Rt. Rev. H. C. Potter, D.D., 
in substance said : " The parochial mission is entirely on 
the line of the Church's essential principles of life and 
work, as outlined in the services for Advent, which the 



Timely Topics." 



xxxviii INTRODUCTORY. 



mission is to fill up and fill out. The Collect, Epistle, and 
Gospel for the Sunday preceding Advent Sunday are in 
full harmony with its spirit ; and that the small quantity 
of the loaves and fishes to feed the multitude, as described 
in the Gospel, teach us our own insufficiency to do the 
great work of the mission without the Divine blessing.* 

(;;/) ''Is this to be known as a year of Christian revival^ 
Shall we have a ge?ieral revival?" \ 

" God's Spirit is moving among the churches, inspiring 
them with new courage, silencing controversy, subduing 
strife, drawing them nearer together in Christian love. 
What does the Episcopal mission indicate ? 

" We have yet to hear the first jealous or disparaging 
note from Christians of any name as to the character and 
results of the Episcopal mission. Everybody is glad that 
the services were well attended, that a profound impres- 
sion was made, and that there has been a real revival. We 
point with Christian pride and gladness to this evidence of 
a growing apostolic fellowship. 

** We have yet to notice the first indication of party feel- 
ing in the Episcopal Church itself over this innovation. 
All parties are represented in the movement ; and there 
has been no rivalry, no sneering, no flings at Evangelical, 
Ritualist, or Broad Churchman. The mission has been 
characterized by the best Christian feeling, by harmony, 
and by unity. Is it a small thing that there should be no 
discordant note, as well as no jealous or disparaging note? 

*' We have yet to hear a single regret expressed that this 
series of meetings was planned by churches of diverse ten- 
dencies, or that the methods pursued should be so similar 
to those adopted by other denominations. Direct appeals 



* " The Church Revived," Part V., Chapter III. 
t Editor of the Independent. 



IN TROD UCTOR Y. xxxix 



to the unconverted, exhortations after the sermon, extem- 
poraneous prayers, subdued ritual, after-meetings, per- 
sonal approach in the pews, revival hymns, questioning 
the congregation, and other features of the revival meeting 
all adopted without public protest ! Is there nothing note- 
worthy in this ?" 



THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



PART I. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND SLUMBERING. 

The Antiquity of the Anglican Church — Retention of the A7icient 
Churches and Seats of Learning — Churchmen and Dissenters 
Nodding — A Reign of Moral Darkness — Churches Deserted^ 
but Places of Amusement Crowded — Church Serenity. 

The Anglican Church, a branch of Christ's Catholic and 
Apostolic Church, was planted in Britain at an early period 
of the Christian era. In the reign of Henry VIII. she was 
reformed, and freed from the usurpation of a foreign 
bishop. Doctrinal incrustation was removed, what was 
apostolic in doctrine or primitive in polity were restored ; 
and after her reformation her creed was comprehen- 
sive and her liturgy scriptural. She retained posses- 
sion of England's renowned universities, the ivy-crowned 
churches, revered abbeys, and capacious cathedrals, and 
was protected by Parliament from foreign interference. 
After a long period, and when not oppressed, rocked by 
kings and queens in the cradle of royal luxuries, she again 
and again slumbered and slept. 



THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



Cathedrals and abbeys resembled cemeteries for spirit- 
ually dead souls as well as for literally dead bodies. The 
color of the paper on Avhich sermons were written showed 
that they had done service to congregations dead and 
buried. In St. Paul's Cathedral the oratory of an Easter 
sermon on Christ's resurrection would have been oratori- 
cally dull for a sermon on the death of an ordinary man. 
During its delivery the choristers amused themselves and 
diverted the attention of the few hearers who were not 
asleep or nodding. In many parish churches there was a 
correspondence between the decaying buildings and the 
drearily rendered services, a drawling duet between the 
parson and the clerk who said the responses, sometimes 
nodded in sight of the people, and said " Amen" at the 
wrong time. The vocal laudanum from the pulpit made 
people slumber in church who had been sleepless at home. 
Some, who loved the old historic Church and admired her 
liturgy, chose the excessive fervor in the Dissenters* 
Chapel to the excessive refrigeration in their parish 
church. 

The Lord Bishop of Lichfield^ in 1724, described the Lord's 
Day as " the Devil's Market Day." The Rev. John Clay- 
ton, in 1736, said : " Wickedness is grown to such a liead 
in the world, immorality and profaneness are become so 
epidemic among us, that it is much to be feared nothing 
but discipline and wholesome vigor can prove a cure for 
it. The infection of vice is extended so far and wide, and 
the contagion of sin spread so prodigiously fast, that it 
seems necessary to use severe methods toward the cor- 
rupted parts if we hope either to recover them or save 
those that are yet untouched with the disease. God 
knows the flagrant iniquity of our days, the excessive cor- 
ruption of the dregs of time . . . for which charity can 
find no sufficient excuse or extenuation." As this was a 



THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND SLUMBERING. 3 

true picture, the high sheriff and Grand Jury of London 
requested that the sermon be published. Even the palace 
was not a place of social purity ; vice was rampant in high 
places, and the ' ' masses" were vicious and brutal. Addison 
used his powerful pen to inprove " the public taste," cor- 
rect the " public morals," and to check, if not " stop the 
overwhelming progress of corruption." The renowned 
seats of sacred learning had become centres of soul danger. 
Students of promise were surrounded by companions who 
studied not, spent the night in revelry, and were more 
dangerous than undisguised libertines. The majority of 
candidates for ordination were " ignorant of the Bible and 
Catechism, and unfit to have the cure of souls." Bishop 
Burnet said " the season for ordination was the grief and 
burden of his life." Once he exclaimed, " Oh, that I had 
wings like a dove, for then would I fly away, and be at 
rest." On the fly-leaf of a volume of Dr. Bayley's ser- 
mons, in the Lichfield Cathedral Library, is an autograph 
remark, " No Christianity here !" 

As years rolled on^ while the Church slumbered, the 
Dissenters also nodded, and moral evils triumphed. Within 
sound of chiming church bells, pealing organs, and Non- 
conformists' services, iniquity stalked abroad. In re- 
gions where churchmen w^orshipped, holding golden-clasp- 
ed prayer-books, and Dissenters sang, holding gilt-edged 
" Watts" or " Rippon" hymn-books, God was defied. 
Within sound of their voices pickpockets- stole, drunkards 
staggered, and the profane blasphemed. 

The moral sky was covered with blackness. The litera- 
ture of the time was debasing. The people's literary taste 
was gross. Writers of satires on religion and of licentious 
humor were popular. Immorality, profanity, and fla- 
grant impiety were epidemic. Churchmen held up for ad- 
miration their organic Church candlestick, but it con- 



THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



tained a dimly-burning taper light. The ecclesiastical cup, 
which had descended from the Apostles, was richly chased 
with canons and rubrics, but contained very little of the 
Water of Life. The Church of England took her ease as if 
the millennium had dawned, and she was no longer a part 
of Christ's Church militant. In the realm of Nature storm 
and calm alternate ; but in the realm of grace many 
desired only serenity ; only a few of the clergy prayed for 
a Pentecostal shower of blessing. Choirs and people truly 
sang, 

** Hosannas languish on our tongues, 
And our devotion dies." 

Places of worship were neglected, but theatres and public 
houses were crowded. The " Church's quiet ways" were 
observed, and from Advent to Lent, and from Lent to 
Advent, 

" All was tranquil and serene, 
Calm and undisturbed repose." 



THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND APATHY. 



CHAPTER II. 

MONUMENTS OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND APATHY. 

Wesley and His Followers Mobbed — Riotous Conduct of a Dream- 
ing Clergyman — Straiige Actions of Magistrates — Methodists 
Caricatured on the Stage — An Official Order for the Arrest 
of Methodist Preachers. 

For many years, the houses in which Wesley's followers 
had been mobbed and damaged were distinguished by the 
remaining marks of violence. Though he was an accom- 
plished scholar, a well-bred gentleman, fastidious respect- 
ing apparel and good manners, he travelled from place to 
place to arouse churchmen and to preach the Gospel to men 
of low estate. When wonder was expressed that he could 
preach to the vulgar multitude, he wittingly answered : 
"It is hard for me to be shallow enough for aristocratic 
auditors." Ferocious mobs attacked him, and tore his 
clothes to tatters. During a pelting storm, he was pushed 
along in the midst of a mob in the darkness of the 
night, from magistrate to magistrate. On more than 
one occasion, the noise of the mobs resembled the roaring 
of the ocean. The air vibrated with the sounds, " Knock 
his brains out !" " Down with him !" " Kill him at once !" 
One man deals him a heavy blow on his chest, and another 
on his mouth. The blood gushes out ; but Wesley says : 
" I feel no more pain from either than if they had touched 
me with a straw !" On one occasion a Methodist was de- 
livered to a mob, and the shout heard, "Hurrah, boys! 



THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



Stand up for the Church !'' Magistrates, and some clergy- 
men, sympathized with the mobs. While Charles Wesley 
was preaching at the Town Cross, Nottingham, and the 
missiles^ were flying, the right w^orshipful the mayor 
passed by laughing. At one place a clergyman hired a 
man to beat the town drum, went before it himself, assem- 
bled the rabble, and gave them liquor to go with him and 
^' fight for the Church f When an alderman of Notting- 
ham said to Wesley, " I wonder you cannot stay at home ! 
You see the mob won't suffer you to preach !" Wesley 
answered : " I did not know this town was governed by a 
mob ! Most towns are governed by magistrates !" Wes- 
ley was denounced as a " Papist," a " Jesuit," a " F^ire- 
brand," a " Socialist," a '* Revolutionist." A vile carica- 
ture was printed to injure his character. He was not al- 
lowed to preach in Newgate jail, lest he should make the 
prisoners wicked. He was excluded from the Bedlam In- 
sane Asylum, lest his preaching should drive the inmates 
mad. He was burned in effigy, and on several occasions 
dragged through the streets by the hair of his head. The 
Legislature was informed that Wesley's influence was 
inimical to public security and morals, and urged to adopt 
measures against him. He was called a *' Sacramen- 
tarian," and nicknamed a Riteist or Methodist. A theatre 
bill read : 

For the Benefit of Mr. Fste, 

By the Edinburgh Company of Comedians, 

On Friday, November 4th, will be Acted a Comedy : 

" The Conscious Lovers," 

To which will be added a Farce : 

"Trick upon Trick; or, Methodism Displayed." 



THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND APATHY. 7 

Among the historic monuments of the Church of Eng- 
land's spiritual apathy is the following : 

"Staffordshire (England). 

" To all high constables, petty constables, and others of 
Her Majesty's peace-ofhcers within said county. 

" . . . These are, in His Majesty's name, to command 
you, and every one of you, within your respective districts, 
to make diligent search after the Methodist preachers, and 
to bring him or them before some of His Majesty's justices 
of the peace (?) according to their unlawful doings. 

" Given under our hands and seals, this 12th day of 
October, 1743. 

(Signed) - j. Lane. 

" W. Pershore." 

Summonses had already been issued to arrest Mr. 
Wesley. In various parts of the country divers rewards 
were offered to any one who would secure his conviction. 

After the leader of a mob had been converted he was 
asked: "What do you think of Wesley?" "Think of 
him !" was the answer ; " he is a man of God ; and God 
was on his side when so many of us could not kill one 
m.an !" In Staffordshire the Methodists were fiercely 
assailed ; women were knocked down, and their children 
were allowed to wander up and down the streets ! On one 
occasion the mo'o divided into companies, marched from 
village to village, and for about five miles they resembled 
malcontents when inciting civil war. As the Emperor 
Nero blamed the Christians for his own misdoings, so a 
London newspaper published that the rioters, for pre- 
tended insults from the Methodists, the Church party, had 
risen in insurrection against the government. In Notting. 
ham the Methodists were driven from place to place, and 
pelted with any of the missiles found in the streets. 



THE CHURCH REVIVED, 



CHAPTER III. 

A WESLEYAN PREACHER ROBBED ; THE THIEVES ALARMED. 

Three Young Gentlemen on a Spree — The Robbers Asked to Kneel 
Down and Pray — Afraid that a Spark may Ignite Powder 
— Required to Pay Dearly for their Midnight Visit — Glad to 
Give the Preacher all their Money — A New Chapel Built. 

In the early days of the Wesleyan agitation the very 
solemn and the very ludicrous sometimes commingled. 
The preachers, sometimes, had cause to weep and mourn ; 
but at other times, to laugh and rejoice ; and as they gener- 
ally lived in a state of high pressure, the extremes of re- 
action kept their minds in equilibrium. The following illus- 
tration, from " Sketches of Early Methodism," will make 
this evident, and also afford the reader a little mental relief 
from the sadness the facts narrated in the preceding chap- 
ters must induce. 

Soon after the promulgation of Methodism in England 
it spread with great rapidity over the counties of Devon 
and Cornwall, and especially among the miners and lower 
orders. For a long period after its introduction the clergy 
and higher orders of society in the West of England mani- 
fested a degree of dislike to ' ' the new doctrines, ' ' which can 
scarcely be imagined in these days of modern toleration. 
It was thought by many young gentlemen good sport to 
break the windows and nail up the doors of a Methodist 
chapel. The robbery of a Wesleyan preacher, as a spree, 
by three young gentlemen, became the subject of judicial 



A WESLEYAN PREACHER ROBBED. 



investigation, and the frolicsome young men had to pay 
very dearly for their practical joke. 

Among the uninstructed local preachers was one known 
by the name of the *' Old Gardener." This old man was 
no common character — indeed, he was quite an original, and 
by far the most popular preacher among the disciples of 
John Wesley in that vicinity. He kept a small nursery 

garden about two miles from the town of St. A , 

working hard at his occupation as a gardener by day, and 
praying and preaching to his fellow-sinners, as he called 
them, in the evening. He lived in the poorest manner, 
giving away all the surplus of his earnings in charity, dis- 
tributing Bibles, and promoting to the utmost of his abil- 
ity the extension of Methodism. His complexion was a 
sort of dirty, dark iron-gray, and his whole appearance lean 
and grotesque. Although extremely ignorant, he pos- 
sessed no small degree of cunning, and great personal 
courage. Of this the following incident affords ample evi- 
dence : 

The " Old Gardener" was once subjected to a burglary 
and attempt at robbery. He lived with his wife in a small 
and somewhat dilapidated cottage not far from the high 
road. Three young '* squires" who had just finished their 
studies at the University, and who all despised and hated 
Methodism, having heard that the old man had been re- 
cently making a collection to build a Methodist chapel, 
thought it would be a good frolic to rob him temporarily 
of the proceeds of his collection. The result of the frolic 
is best related in the words of one of the actors : 

'* We set out," said he, " upon our expedition with 
blackened faces, on a dark night, a little before twelve 
o'clock. We had dined late, and all of us had Dutch as 
well as Cornish courage ; yet I confess, when it came to 
the point, I felt myself a coward. I began to reflect that 



10 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

it was but a dastardly frolic to frighten a poor old man 
and his wife in the dead of the night. 

" The clock struck twelve. 'Now comes the witching 
time of night,' exclaimed Tom. 

" ' Don't let us frighten the poor couple out of their 
wits/ said I. 

" * No,' said Ryder, * we will be gentle robbers — gentle 
as Robin Hood and Little John.' 

" I said that I would rather travel back than proceed. 
' Recollect,' said I, ' the old fellow is an old soldier as well 
as a saint, and fears nothing human.' 

" ' Nonsense,' exclaimed Ryder ; ' here goes.' 

" He pressed the feeble door of the cottage in which the 
old man resided ; it immediately gave way and flew open. 
We entered and found ourselves in a sort of kitchen. To 
our great surprise, there was a light shining from an inner 
room. This made us hesitate. 

** * Who is out there at this time of night ? ' exclaimed a 
hoarse voice from within. I knew it to be the unmistak- 
able voice of the * Old Gardener.' 

*' ' Give us your money, and no harm shall befall you,' 
said Tom., * but we mast have your money.' 

" ' The Lord will be my defence,' rejoined the ' Old 
Gardener.' ' You shall have no money from me. All in 
the house is the Lord's — take it if you dare ! ' 

" * We must and will have it,' said we, as we entered the 
inner room, after taking the precaution of fastening the 
chamber door as we entered. 

'* We soon wished we had suffered it to remain open, as 
you will see. 

" Now consider us face to face with the ' Old Gar- 
dener' — and a pretty sight we presented. Three ruffians 
(ourselves) with white wagoners' frocks and blackened 
faces. Before us the * Old Gardener,' sitting on the side 



A WESLEY AN PREACHER ROBBED. 11 

of his bed. He wore a red worsted nightcap, a check 
shirt, and a flannel jacket ; his iron-gray face, fringed 
with a grizzled beard, looking as cool and undismayed as 
if he had been in the pulpit preaching. A table was by 
the side of the bed, and immediately in front of him, on a 
large deal table, w^as an open Bible, close to which we ob- 
served, to our horror, a heap of gunpowder, large enough 
to blow up a castle. A candle was burning on the table, 
and the old fellow had a steel in one hand and a large flint 
in the other. We were all three completely paralyzed. 
The wild, iron-faced, determined look of the ' Old Gar- 
dener,' the candle, the flint and steel, and the great heap 
of powder, absolutely froze our blood, and made cowards 
of us all. The gardener saw the impression he had 
made. 

" * What ! do you want to rob and murder ?' exclaimed 
he ; ' you had better join with me in prayer, miserable 
sinners that you all are ! Repent, and you may be saved. 
You will soon be in another world ! ' 

" Ryder first recovered his speech. 

*' ' Please to hear me, Mr. Gardener. I feel that we 
have been wrong, and if we may depart we will make rep- 
aration, and give you all the money we have in our 
pockets.' 

" We laid our purses on the table before him. 

" ' The Lord has delivered you into my hands. It was 
so revealed to me in a dream. We shall all soon be in 
another world. Pray — let us pray.' And down he fell 
upon his knees, close to the table, with the candle burning 
and the ugly flint and steel in his hand. He prayed and 
prayed. At last he appeared exhausted. He stopped, 
and eyed the purses ; and then emptied one of them out 
on the table. He appeared surprised, and, I thought, 
gratified at the largeness of its contents. We now thought 



12 THE, CHURCH REVIVED. 

we should have to retire ; but to our dismay the * Old 
Gardener ' said : 

" * Now we will praise God by singing the Hundredth 
Psalm/ 

" This was agony to us all. After the psalm the old 
man took up the second purse ; and while he was examin- 
ing its contents, Ryder, who was close behind Tom and 
myself, whispered softly : 

" ' I have unfastened the door ; when you hear me move 
make a rush.' 

" The ' Old Gardener,' then pouring out the contents of 
the second purse, exclaimed : 

** ' Why, there is almost enough to build our new house 
of God ! Let me see what the third contains.' 

" He took up the third purse. 

" ' Now ! ' whispered Ryder ; ' make a rush.' 

" We did so, and at the same moment heard the old fel- 
low hammering away with his flint and steel. We ex- 
pected to be instantly blown into fragments. The front 
door, however, flew open before us ; the next step we 
found ourselves in the garden. The night was pitchy 
dark. We rushed blindly through the nursery grounds, 
scrambled through brambles and prickly shrubs, ran our 
heads against trees, then forced ourselves through a thick 
hedge. At last, with scratched faces, torn hands, and tat- 
tered clothes, we tumbled over a bank into the high road. 

" Our horses were soon found, and we galloped to 
Ryder's residence. Lights were procured, and we sat 
down. We were black, ragged, and dirty. We looked at 
each other, and, in spite of our miserable adventure, roared 
with laughter. 

" ' We may laugh,' exclaimed Tom, ' but if this adven- 
ture is blown, and we are found out, Cornwall will be too 
hot for us for the next seven years. We have made a pretty 



A WESLEYAN PREACHER ROBBED. 13 

night of it. We have lost our money ; being obliged to 
pretend to pray for two long hours before a great heap of 
gunpowder ; while that iron-faced, ugly, red-capped brute 
threatened us all with an immediate passage into eternity ! 
And our money, forsooth, must go to build a Methodist 
meeting-house ! Bah ! It is truly horrible. The fellow 
has played the old soldier on us with a vengeance, and 
we shall be the laughing-stock of the whole country.' 

" The affair was not yet ended. Reports were spread 
that three men, disguised as black demons, with horns and 
tails, had entered the cottage of the * Old Gardener,' who 
had not only terrified them, but had frightened them out 
of a good sum of money, which he intended to devote to 
the building of a new Methodist meeting-house. It was 
given out that on the following Sunday the ' Old Gar- 
dener ' intended to preach a sermon, and afterward solicit 
subscriptions for the meeting-house, when he would relate 
the remarkable manner in which he had been providen- 
tially assisted with funds for the building. Our mortifica- 
tion was complete. Tom, whose hatred of Methodism was 
intense, declared he would blow up the meeting-house as 
soon as it was built. Our curiosity, however, was excited, 
and we all three determined to hear our adv^enture of the 
night related by the ' Old Gardener,' if we could contrive 
to be present without being suspected. Sunday evening 
arrived. The meeting-house was crammed to suffocation, 
and with the dim lights then burning in the chapel we had 
no difficulty in concealing ourselves. The sermon was 
short, but the statement of our adventures was related 
most minutely and circumstantially in the old man's 
quaint, homely, and humorous phraseology. This even- 
ing he seemed to excel himself, and was exuitin^ly humor- 
ous. The eld fellow's face glowed with delight and satis- 
faction. * I never,' said he, * saw black faces pray with 



U THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



greater devotion. I have some doubt, however, ' he slyly 
observed, * if their prayers were quite heavenward. They 
sometimes turned their faces toward the door, but a lifting 
of the flint and steel kept them quiet.' 

" He then added, with a knowing shake of the head and 
an exulting laugh : * But they had not smelt powder like 
the old soldier whom they came to rob. No, no ; it was 
a large heap — ay, large enough to frighten old General 
Clive himself. The candle was lighted, the flint and steel 
were ready. You may ask, my friends, if I myself was 
not afraid. No, no, my dear friends,' shouted he, * this 
large heap of apparent gunpowder was — it was my stock, 
my whole year's stock of leek (onion) seed ! ' 

*' The whole congregation somewhat irreverently 
laughed ; even the saints almost shouted ; many clapped 
their hands. I was for the moment stupefied by the an- 
nouncement, but at last could hardly suppress my own 
laughter. 

" We subscribed to the fund to avoid suspicion, and left 
the meeting. After the sermon we joined each other, but 
could not speak. We could barely chuckle, * Leek-seed,' 
and then roared with laughter. 

" It was a good joke, though not exactly to our taste. 
It has, however, more than once served for subsequent 
amusement. 

'' The chapel was built with the money collected by the 
gardener. Time and circumstance now induce me to think 
that there has been no detriment to morality or religion by 
the erection of the meeting-house which the High Church 
party named * The Leek-Seed Chapel.' " 



WESLEY AN SCHISM AFTER WESLEY'S DEATH. 15 



CHAPTER IV. 

THE WESLEYAN SCHISM AFTER WESLEy' S DEATH. 

Buckle Mistaken — Wesley not a Schismatic — Wesley was not 
'''"Driven Out of the Church" of England — He Loved Her too 
much to Leave Her — His Desire that all Methodists Lmitate 
His Example — Twelve Reasons to Lnduce them to do so — E'ol- 
lowers do ?iot Go in an Opposite Direction. 

Buckle, the talented and generally accurate historian, 
wrote that Wesley was " a great schismatic," and that he 
aimed to found a system which should " rival the Estab- 
lished Church." He was, however, mistaken ; for Wesley, 
two years before his death, said : " I hold all the doctrines, 
of the Church of England. I love her liturgy. I believe 
one reason why God is pleased to continue my life so long 
is to confirm the Methodists in their present purpose not to 
separate from the Church." To bind all in fellowship to 
the Church, eighteen months before his departure he re- 
vised and republished his code of directions for the guid- 
ance of the Methodists, as a society of the Church of Eng- 
land. The question, " How should an assistant be quali- 
fied for his charge ?*' is thus answered : " By loving the 
Church of England, and resolving not to separate from 
it." Before receiving any new candidate, Wesley required 
assurance that he "is no enemy to the Church." He 
further directed that every itinerant or local preacher 
should be asked ; " Do you constantly attend the church 
and sacrament ?" Everv member of a " Methodist Band " 



16 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



was bound to " communicate at the parish church every 
week." Each class-leader was directed by Wesley to ask : 
" Do you go to church as often as you ever did ?" Set the 
example yourself, and immediately alter every plan that 
interferes therewith. 

To prevent a schism either before or after his death, 
Wesley published twelve reasons against separation : 

" Whether it be lawful or no (which itself may be dis- 
puted, being not so clear a Point as some may imagine) it 
is by no Means expedient for us to separate from the Estab- 
lish'd Church : 

" I. Because it would be a Contradiction to the solemn 
and repeated Declarations, which we have made in all 
Manner of Ways, in Preaching, in Print, and in private 
Conversation : 

" 2. Because (on this as well as many other Accounts) 
it would give huge Occasion of Offense to those who seek 
and desire Occasion, to all the Enemies of God and his 
Truth : 

" 3. Because it would exceedingly prejudice against us 
many who fear, yea, who love God, and thereby hinder 
their receiving so much, perhaps any farther. Benefit from 
our Preaching : 

"4. Because it would hinder Multitudes of those who 
neither love nor fear God, from hearing us at all : 

'* 5. Because it would occasion many Hundreds, if not 
some Thousands of those who are now united with us, to 
separate from us ; yea, and some of these who have a deep 
Work of Grace in their Souls : 

" 6. Because it would be throwing Balls of Wild-fire 
among them that are now quiet in the Land. We are now 
sweetly united together in Love. We mostly think and 
speak the same thing. But this would occasion inconceiv- 
able Strife and Contention, between those who left, and 



WESLEY AN SCHISM AFTER WESLEY'S DEATH. 17 

those who remained in the Church, as well as between 
those who left us, and those who remained with us : Nay, 
and between those very Persons who remained, as they 
were variously inclined one Way or the other : 

"7. Because, whereas Controversy is now asleep, and 
we in great Measure live peaceably with all Men, so that 
we are strangely at Leisure to spend our whole Time 
and Strength, in enforcing plain, practical, vital Religion, 
(O what would many of our Forefathers have given to 
have enjoyed so blessed a Calm !) This would utterly 
banish peace from among us, and that without Hope of its 
Return. It would engage me, for one, in a thousand Con- 
troversies, both in Publick and Private ; (for I should be 
in conscience obliged to give the Reasons of my Conduct, 
and to defend those Reasons against all Opposers), and so 
take me off from those more useful Labours, which might 
otherwise employ the short Remainder of my Life : 

" 8. Because to form the Plan of a New Church would 
require infinite Time and Care (which might be far more 
profitably bestowed), with much more Wisdom and greater 
Depth and Extensiveness of Thought, than any of us are 
Masters of : 

" 9. Because from some having barely entertained a dis- 
tant Thought of this, evil Fruits have already followed, 
such as Prejudice against the Clergy in general ; and apt- 
ness to believe 111 of th-em ; Contempt (not without a De- 
gree of Bitterness) of Clergymen as such, and a sharpness 
of Language toward the whole Order, utterly unbecoming 
either Gentlemen or Christians : 

10. Because the experiment has been so frequently 
tried already, and the success never answer'd the Expecta- 
tion. God has since the Reformation raised up from Time 
to Time many Witnesses of pure Religion. If these lived 
and died (like John Arndt^ Robert Bolton^ and many others). 



18 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

in the Churches to which they belonged, notwithstanding 
the Wickedness which overflowed both the Teachers and 
People therein ; they spread the Leaven of true Religion 
far and wide, and were more and more useful, till they 
went to Paradise. But if upon any Provocation or Con- 
sideration whatever, they separated, and founded distinct 
Parties, their Influence was more and more confined, they 
grew less and less useful to others, and generally lost the 
Spirit of Religion themselves in the Spirit of Controversy : 

" II. Because we have melancholy Instances of this, 
even now before our Eyes. Many have in our Memory 
left the Church, and formed themselves into distinct 
Bodies. And certainly some of them, from a real Persua- 
sion, that they should do God more Service. But have 
any separated themselves and prospered ? Have they been 
either more holy, or more useful than they were before ? 

" 12. Because by such a separation we should not only 
throw away the peculiar Glorying which God has given 
us. That we do and will suffer all Things for our Brethren's 
Sake, tho' the more we love them, the less we be loved : 
But should act in direct Contradiction to that very End, 
for which we believe God hath raised us up. The chief 
Design of his Providence in sending us out, is undoubt- 
edly, To quicken our Brethren. And the first Message of 
all our Preachers is, to the lost Sheep of the Church of 
England. Now would it not be a flat Contradiction to this 
Design, To separate from the Church ? These Things 
being considered, we cannot apprehend, whether it be 
lawful in itself or no, that it is lawful for us ; were it only 
on this Ground, That it is by no means expedient. — 
/. Wesley ; A.D. 1758." 

Bishop White said : " When ye revd. Charles Wesley put 
this Pamphlet into my Hands, he remarked — ' These 
twelve Reasons, issued 26 years ago, against separating 



WESLEY AN SCHISM AFTER WESLEY'S DEATH. 19 

from ye Church of England, are equally applicable to 
what has been lately done in America :' meaning, under 
ye Superintendency of Dr. Coke." John Wesley said, " If 
our service were designed to be instead of the Church ser- 
vice, it would be essentially defective.'' To Methodists 
at Deptford he wrote : " If you are resolved, you may 
have your service in church hours. But remember ! From 
that time you will see my face no more." For the welfare 
of the Church of England he lived, and earnestly labored. 
His declaration, " I have no desire nor design to separate 
from it, till my soul separates from my body," in view 
of the rough treatment he had received, proved how ar- 
dently he loved the old historic Church. 

Through God's blessing, the labors of the Wesleys 
and their fervent coadjutors probably saved the Church of 
England from entombment with the seven historic churches 
of Asia Minor. Enthusiasm in the Church of England was 
gradually rekindled. They lived at a time when it was bet- 
ter that her polity suffer a little for the free proclamation 
of her doctrine. Neglected means of grace were in Church 
after Church devoutly used. Many nominal churchmen 
were stirred to keep their sacramental vows ; and the 
slumbering Church of England was gradually aroused. 
Wesley and his co-laborers were mobbed by churchmen 
who " kept closely to the rubrics, but broke God's com- 
mandments." His self-possession, amid fury and uproar, 
made his words sublime. His face was often radiant with 
holy love. His tones were tremulous with fervor. On 
many occasions, while preaching, he calmed turbulent op- 
position, paralyzed hostility, and melted hard hearts. The 
half-savage Kingswood coal miners listened, their coal- 
dust-begrimed faces furrowed by tears. Rioters became 
peaceful, drunkards sober, and the vicious chaste. He 
loved the Church, and only strove to promote her welfare 



20 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

by doing what she left undone. He considered the ill- 
treatment he received from churchmen as the bad temper 
manifested by persons who desire a little more slumber^ 
and are annoyed by those who strive to arouse them. 
When about to depart to paradise, he prayed for God's 
blessing on the Church of England. 



WESLEY'S OFFICIAL LETTER TO METHODISTS. 21 



CHAPTER V. 

Wesley's official letter to methodists in America. 

The Rev. J. Wesley had declined to ordain his " travelling 
preachers " for the English Methodist circuits, saying : 
*' I have refused^ not only for peace's sake, but because I 
was determined as little as possible to violate ' the estab- 
lished order ' of the national Church to which I belong." 
But what he declined to do for his ** societies in England " 
he consented to do for his societies in America. He 
said : ** The case is widely different between England and 
North America. In England there are Bishops, who have 
a legal jurisdiction. In America there are none, neither 
any parish ministers. So that for some hundred miles 
together there is none either to baptize or to administer 
the Lord's Supper. Here, therefore, my scruples are at an 
end ; and I conceive myself at full liberty, as I violate no 
order and invade no man's right by appointing and sending 
laborers into the harvest. 

** I have accordingly appointed Dr. Coke and Mr. Francis 
Asbury to h& Joint Superintendents o^er our brethren in North 
America, as also Richard Whatcoat and Tho7nas Vasey to 
act as elders among them, by lecturing and administering 
the Lord's Supper. And I have prepared a liturgy, differ- 
ing little from that of the Church of England {the beU 
constituted national Church in the world) ^ which I advise all the 
travelling preachers to use on the Lord's day in all the 
congregations, reading the Litany only on Wednesdays 
and Fridays, and praying extempore on all other days. I 



22 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

also advise the elders to administer the supper of the Lord 
on every Lord's day." 

Wesley's official document. 

" To all whom these presents shall come, John Wesley, 
late Fellow of Lincoln's College, in Oxford, Presbyter of 
the Church of England, sendeth greeting : 

" Whereas many people in the Southern provinces of 
North America, who desire to continue under my care, 
and STILL adhere to the doctrine and discipline of the Church 
of England, are greatly distressed for want of ministers to 
administer the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Sup- 
per according to the usage of the same Church ; and 
whereas there doth not appear to be any other way of sup- 
plying them with ministers : 

"Know all men that I, John Wesley, think myself to be 
providentially called at this time to set apart some persons 
for the work of the ministry in America, and therefore, 
under the protection of Almighty God, and with a single 
eye to His glory, I have this day set apart as Stiperinte?tdent 
by imposition of my hands and prayer (being assisted by 
other ordained ministers), Thomas Coke, Doctor of Civil 
Law, a Presbyter of the Church of England, and a man 
whom I judge to be well qualified for that great work, and 
I do hereby recommend him to all whom it may concern, 
as a fit person to preside over the flock of Christ. 

" In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and 
seal, this 2nd day of September, in the year of our Lord 
1784. John Wesley."* 

That Wesley, by appointing Dr. Coke " Superintendent,'' 
did not contemplate making him a Bishop is certain ; 
for when he learned that he called himself Bishop in a 

* Wesley's Works, vol. vii., p. 187. 



WESLEY'S OFFICIAL LETTER TO METHODISTS. 23 

letter to Mr. Asbury, ordained M. E. Bishop by Coke, 
September 20th, 1788, in a letter to him occurs the follow- 
ing :* 

" But in one point, my dear Brother, I am a little afraid 
the Doctor (Coke) and you differ from me : I study to be 
little, you study to be great ; I creep, you strut along ; I 
found a school, you a college — nay, and call it after your 
own name. Oh, beware ! Do not seek to be something ! 
Let me be nothing and Christ be all in all. One instance 
of this your greatness gives me great concern — how dare 
you suffer yourself to be called A Bishop ! I shudder ! I start 
at the very thought ! Men may call me a knave, or a fool, 
or a rascal, a scoundrel, and I am content ; but they shall 
never by my consent call me a Bishop. For my sake, for 
God's sake, for Christ's sake, put a full end to all this ! 
Let Presbyterians do as they please ; but let the Methodists 
know their calling better. Thus, my dear Franky, I have 
told you all that is in my heart, and let this, when I am 
no more seen, bear witness how sincerely I am your affec- 
tionate friend and Brother, J. Wesley." 

The mtualism of Methodism resembled the ritual of the 
primitive Christians, who worshipped in private houses or 
synagogues. Wesley desired to return from ecclesiastical 
grandeur and splendor of ritual to the primitive simplic- 
ity of generations of the early Christians. He believed 
that this was pleasing to the Lord who is worshipped, and 
said : * ' The best of all is, God is with us, ' ' 

Wesley labored to revive " the traditions and usages 
within the enclosure of the primitive apostolic churches." 
"The Trust Deed'' of all his chapels specified that they 
were to be used for the ministration of ordained Presbyters 

* " Life of Wesley," by John Hampton, A.B., vol. ii., pp. 178-9. 



24 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

of the Church of England and the Lay Preachtrs of the Wesleyan 
Society. When in London the author visited the large 
" City Road Chapel"— called the " Methodist Cathedral" 
— in order to see the new marble tablet, and notice where- 
in the inscription is different from the one which had 
been removed. On the ^/^ tablet Wesley was described as 
*' The Patron of Lay Preachers.'' But on the new tablet, for 
this is substituted, " The chief Promoter of the plan of 
iti7ier ant preaching.'' After the Wesleyan Conference had 
" Resolved, That hereafter all distinctions be dropped 
between ordained and unordained Wesleyan ministers," 
Lay Preachers were called ''Reverend" — many of whom 
had never been ordained even as Church Deacons. About 
the year 1828 the Wesleyans adopted a form of ordination. 
The author, years later, was present at the Wesleyan 
Chapel, *' Great Queen Street," London, and saw the 
Rev. Dr. Bunting, by prayer and the laying on of hands, 
ordain several candidates for the Methodist ministry. 



WESLE Y AS A CHURCH RE VIVA LI ST. 25 



CHAPTER VI. 

WESLEY AS A CHURCH REVIVALIST NOW APPRECIATED. 

His Mo7iu7ne7it in Westminster Abbey — Living Churchmen not 
Responsible for the Conduct of their Ancestors — Christiaft 
Bodies Outside of the Church of England Living War7ii7igs 
7iot to Repel her Enthusiastic Workers. 

Living churchmen revere John Wesley, and gladly sing 
Charles Wesley's hymns. John Wesley has been called by 
Bishop Alonzo Potter, " the greatest reformer of the eigh- 
teenth century," his revival work in the Church " the great- 
est fact in the history of the period, the source and strength 
of the greatest religious movement recorded in history." 
Bishop Bedell considers him " one of the most wonderful 
instruments among numbers whom the Holy Ghost has 
employed in these latter days." In Westminster Abbey 
the author saw the monuments to the Wesleys, but was 
surprised to read beneath the bust of John's, cut in solid 
marble, "The World is 77ty Parish^'' — surprised, because it 
is one of the freaks of history. About a century ago, be- 
cause Wesley would not admit to the Lord Bishop of 
Gloucester that certain physical accompaniments of the 
revival were diabolical, he commanded him to leave his 
diocese, for he was trespassing on the parochial boun- 
daries of other clergymen. Wesley answered : " When I 
was ordained, I was advised by my bishop to do the work of 
an evangelist ; as I have no parish boundaries of my own, 
unless I preach within the limits of a brother's parish, I 



26 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

cannot preach anywhere !" He respectfully declined to 
depart from the bishop's diocesan boundaries, saying : 
** The World is my Parish.'' In the sky of history Wesley 
now brightly shines, while even the names of his slander- 
ers and persecutors are forgotten or remembered with 
contempt. 

Is it not remarkable ! In the year that the Wesleyan 
new hymnal was issued in England, containing no por- 
trait of John Wesley in his gown and bands, the very 
Rev. the Dean of Westminster Abbey, in the presence of 
eminent Wesleyan ministers and other distinguished per- 
sons, uncovered the marble busts of John and Charles 
Wesley ! Though the present generation of churchmen 
are not responsible for the misdoings of their ancestors, 
they are thus warned not to imitate them. That God 
visits the iniquities of church fathers upon their church 
children is illustrated by the fact that, had the Wes- 
leyan revival been conserved, the large and influential 
body of Methodists would not be now on the outside of 
the Church in which Wesley actively lived, and peacefully 
died. The Wesleyans, in England, believe the creed of 
the Church of England. In a number of their capacious 
chapels the ministers read ** the ' Morning Prayer' before 
they preach the sermon. Eminent living church digni- 
taries advise, that we speak not unkindly of other Christian 
bodies, because their ancestors left the Church of England 
through the lack of wisdom in those in authority. Many 
of them still love the Church, and prefer to be married by 
her clergy, and to have their children baptized at the fonts 
at which their ancestors were baptized." The Primitive 
Methodists in Ireland, for a century, have received the 
holy communion at their respective parish churches. 

The large number of *' Lady Huntingdon'' s Chapels^'' outside 
of the Established Church, are monuments that the flame 



WESLE Y AS A CHURCH RE VIVA LIST. 27 



of revival in the days of Wesley, and of Whitefield, her elo- 
quent chaplain, was not allowed to shine in the Church of 
England's organic candlestick. Her chaplains were de- 
voted clergymen, who yearned for the Church's prosperity 
and the salvation of the lost ; but ancient canons, designed 
to resist the encroachment of a foreign bishop after hef 
Reformation, were enforced by ecclesiastical courts against 
holy and devoted clergymen who were zealous churchmen. 
Lady Huntingdon, unwilling to waste more of her fortune 
in defending her chaplains against clerical plaintiffs in 
ecclestiastical suits, and to be exposed to constant litiga- 
tions, reluctantly resolved to go forward in her evangelistic 
work under " the toleration act," that her chaplains may 
minister to the large congregations their faithful labors 
had gathered, unmolested by clergymen who demanded 
the money collected at services in places they neither 
owned nor entered, because held within the boundaries of 
their parishes. The Church not only lost Trevecca Col- 
lege, but also some of her clergy, who were among the 
bright and shining lights of the world in that perverse and 
crooked generation. But as they still loved the Church 
liturgy, and doctrines, and vestments, at their Sunday ser- 
vices " Morning Prayer" preceded their sermons. Row- 
land Hill, minister of the capacious octagon, Surrey 
Chapel, was one of the leading men of the " Lady Hunti?ig- 
don Connection^'" in London. The faithful Rev. James 
6'//fr7>^^/2 perpetuated his ministerial and benevolent works. 
The Rev. Newman Hall is Rowland Hill's second succes- 
sor. In the new edifice, ** Christ's Church," after the bells 
in " Lincoln Tower" have summoned three thousand people 
to assemble, when " Morning Prayer" has ended, he 
preaches one of his earnest and instructive sermons on 
some aspect of the faith declared in the creed of the 
Church of England. Throughout England, the worship- 



28 TITE CHURCH REVIVED. 

pers in the " Lady Huntingdon's Chapels" are '* church- 
men" over whom bishops, archdeacons, rectors, and vicars 
have legally and ecclesiastically forfeited control. The 
letters written by her chaplains to the bishop, stating that 
they were compelled to leave the Church they loved, or turn 
out of doors some of the largest congregations in London, 
gathered under their labors in the worst parts of London, 
are painful to read. 

The capacious Tabernacle in Tottenham Court Road, 
London, is filled with worshippers who use the Morning 
and Evening Prayer of the Church of England. In a con- 
spicuous place is a marble tablet containing the inscription 
composed by the man whose devotion it perpetuates : 

" What I was as an artist 

Was of some importance to me 

Wlien I was on the earth. 

But what I was as a Christian is only of 

Importance to me now !" 

In Brighton, England, the author attended several of the 
Church services in the Lady Huntingdon Chapel. The 
edifice was crowded, the people were devotional, and the 
prayers and the responses fervent. To pay for the comple- 
tion of the chapel Lady Huntingdon disposed of her valu- 
able jewelry. While at this fashionable watering-place 
the author delivered a series of discourses on " Eschatol- 
ogy." He was invited to remain in Brighton ; but the 
offer to build for him a church did not tempt him to 
become an " ecclesiastical auctioneer," whose usefulness 
is gauged by the number of pews the preacher's admirers 
hire, either at a premium or the regular charges for their 
use during the services on Sunday or other days. 



mtm 



THE DA WN OF THE PRESENT A WAKENING. 29 



CHAPTER VII. 

THE DAWN OF JTHE PRESENT AWAKENING. 

The Rev. Robert Aitken Converted — Pulpits Closed Against Him 
— Laboring Outside of the Church — His Last Sei^mon iji Lo7idon 
when about to Return — His Evangelistic Labors in the Church 
of England. 

During the present generation the returning moral 
gloom, resulting from the apathy of the Church of Eng- 
land, incited the cry : " Awake ! awake ! put on thy 
strength, O Zion !" In answer to earnest prayer a won- 
der revival, of a silent and gradual beginning, effects a 
mighty change. Slumberers awake. Midnight departs. 
Over Zion's slopes arise the delicate tints of day-dawn. 
The orb of revival rises higher and higher. The Church 
sky brightens. The increasing light spreads. The grieved- 
away spirit returns. The churches are no longer moral 
cemeteries. Everywhere the sounds of life are heard. Ser- 
mons no longer produce slumber. Deserted churches are 
crowded. Zealous clergy and laity, by the voice of holy 
action, say : " The zeal of thine house is eating us up." 
The intensity of religious life in the Church of England is 
not excelled by the intensity of commercial life in America. 
The marvellous change, resembling life from the dead, 
was not effected by any act of Parliament nor by any 
resolution passed at a clerical convocation, nor through 
much talk respecting the importance of preaching the Gos- 
pel, but not doing it. While some were indulging in party 



30 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

denunciation, and others were straining their eyes to see 
the shape and color of clerical vestments worn in ** the 
Dark Ages," and also straining their ears to catch the pro- 
per tones for prayers and psalmody, others were praying, 
" O Lord, send a plenteous rain, and refresh thine inher- 
itance now so languid." One clergyman, fired with holy 
zeal, visits church after church to awaken slumbering par- 
ishes ; and to visit as many as possible, preaches a revival 
sermon in each on successive evenings. To induce work- 
ing people to attend, they are invited to " come in their 
working clothes," and notified " there will be no collec- 
tion." 

The Rev. Robert Aitken^ the father of Missioner Aitken, 
was aroused from his state of spiritual death. After he 
confessed that for several years he had ministered as a 
clergyman of the Church of England while personally un- 
converted, church pulpits were closed against him, and 
but few Dissenters would permit him to preach in their 
chapels. But the Wesleyans welcomed him, and he was 
considered, far and near, the most powerful preacher and 
efficient revivalist among their many able and useful min- 
isters. At a later period, he organized an association of 
his own, and, within a short period of time, had under his 
own control about a dozen chapels — some much larger 
than the parish churches. Associated with him were a 
number of unusually earnest ministers who had charge of 
his chapels. Wherever he preached there was soon a re- 
vival ; crowds flocked to hear him, and large numbers 
were converted. When he went to some other place one 
of his ministers remained at the place he had left, to follow 
up his Gospel work. His adherents were called ** Aitken- 
ites ;" and at one period, it seemed as if his chapels, in the 
course of time, would rival those of some of the Dissenters. 
Many who have departed to paradise were convicted and 



THE DA WN OF THE PRESENT A WAKENING. 31 

converted under his faithful ministrations ; and some who 
are still alive cherish his memory with fervent affection. 
To show their great love for him, and perpetuate his hon- 
ored name, some had their boys christened " Robert 
Aitken." 

The year that Missioner Aitken was born, the author 
heard his father preach in his capacious chapel in Lon- 
don to a crowded congregation. Look at him ! His body 
is tall, his frame robust, and his presence commanding. 
His head is well formed, his cheeks glow with health, and 
his countenance is genial. He wears a black gown and 
evangelical signals — the bands under his chin. Had he a 
cast in one eye it would seem as if the celebrated While- 
field had risen from the dead and was again swaying hear- 
ers by his sacred eloquence. His sermon was based on the 
words, "And they crucified Him !" During the sermon 
the treachery of Judas and the Saviour's arrest ; his foes 
leading Him to the house of the High Priest, and from 
thence to the pretorium of Pontius Pilate ; from Pilate to 
King Herod, and from Herod back to Pilate, were so viv- 
idly depicted that the sermon reproduced the solemn 
scene of the Saviour's last few hours upon the earth. How 
graceful His gestures and soul-moving His voice ! It re- 
sembles a rich-toned organ with many stops, whose organ- 
ist knows their combinations. His vocal range includes 
the tone of the stops " dulciana" and " vox celestis ;" 
also the stops " trumpet" and " diapason." 

In plaintive tone he depicts the Saviour's homelessness : 
" The Son of Man hath not where to lay His head !" Sor- 
rowfully He repeats His question to Peter, James and 
John : " Could ye not watch with me one hour?" In a 
tone of wailing sorrow He describes His agony in Geth- 
semane, and repeats the words : "If it be possible, let 
this cup pass from me," and in a tone of resignation : 



32 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



" Father, thy will be done." What surprise in His voice 
as He re-utters the Saviour's rebuke to His slumbering dis- 
ciples : "Sleep on, naw^ and take your rest. Arise, behold, 
he is near who will betray me!" In his description of 
those who arrayed Christ in mock regalia, what irony he 
throws into their salutation : *' Hail, King of the Jews !" 
We seem to see the mob who clamored for His blood as 
he now repeats the awful words in a tone of teeth-grind- 
ing hatred : " Away with Him ! Away with Him ! Cru- 
cify Him !" With reproducing power he repeats Pilate's 
question of surprise: "Why, what evil hath He done?" 
He now depicts, as if before our eyes, the Saviour's jour- 
ney from the pretorium along the dolorous way to Gol- 
gotha, bearing the cross and sinking beneath it. In the 
words of St. Paul, we seem to see the Saviour set forth, 
crucified before our eyes, and to hear the ironical man- 
date, " Save Thyself., and come down from the cross !" 
Now we seem to hear His dying cry, " It is finished !' ' and 
to behold His eyes close in death, and His head dropped. 
His chin resting on His chest. The preacher's change 
of tone is not artificial, but natural, because induced by 
what his mental eyes see and his own heart feels. Now, 
in applying the sermon, the preacher, in a subdued and 
solemn tone, says : " Your sins and mine crucified the 
Saviour." And in his exhortation he gradually increases 
in pathetic volume of tone, until his own emotion for a 
moment chokes his power of utterance, and preacher and 
hearers find relief in tears. Then the preacher tenderly 

asks : 

"Wilt thou let him bleed in vain ? 
Still to death thy Lord pursue ? 
Open all his wounds again, 
And the shameful cross renew ?" 

The sermon described was the last that he preached at 
his chapel in London. Having made satisfactory arrange- 



THE DA WN OF THE PRESENT A WAKENING. 33 

ments with the ministers of his chapels in different parts 
of England respecting their future use, etc., he resolved 
to return to the Church of England. Those who stood 
high in authority welcomed his return in 1841 to the 
Church he loved. Before the father returned to the 
Church of England he had resolved to work in harmony 
with her ""via media" modes, or he would have continued 
to let his light shine on the outside. After successful 
labors in Leeds, Yorkshire, and also in Scotland, he took 
charge of Pendeen, in Cornw^all. But he was not at- 
tracted by an ivy-covered Gothic church, an elegant par- 
sonage, and a commodious school-house, for the place 
had* neither. But before the end of two years he had 
erected a capacious church, a comfortable residence, and 
also a school-house. Some feared that his high ritual 
would repel the Methodists ; but they soon were among 
those who crowded the church on Sundays, and their 
voices were heard at the less formal services held in another 
part of the edifice on week evenings. An account of his 
labors, owned by God, would fill a volume. He remained 
there twenty-four years, but was absent occasionally to 
hold evangelistic services in different parts of England and 
Scotland. The term " mission" was adopted at a later 
period ; and, though called by a new name, he rejoiced to 
see the work for which he had all his life contended gen- 
erally recognized throughout the Church of England. 

He possessed a noble body, a good constitution, highly- 
trained vocal organs, great fluency of utterance, and un- 
usual power of endurance. His intellect was clear and 
highly cultivated, but he preferred not to live all the 
time in intellectual Arctic regions. He had originality of 
thought, mental independence, and did not discard his 
own conclusions because some one who had lived in ** the 
Dark Ages" entertained a different opinion. He was 



34 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

very conscientious, affectionate and benevolent. He 
possessed a warm heart and great sympathy, and at times 
he was oppressed by the burdens of the Church, the sor- 
rows of others, and his anxiety for souls, so much upon 
his loving heart, 

Often, before engaging in any public religious service, 
he spent much time in earnest prayer to God, and he was 
as humble as a little child, truly living in the Divine Pres- 
ence, his soul hungering and thirsting after righteous- 
ness. All his talents were consecrated to glorify God, and 
therefore God made him pre-eminently useful. Several 
church clergymen now in New York have seen him, heard 
his matchless voice, loved him while he lived, and now 
cherish his blessed memory. 



THE ALARM CONCERNING PAPAL AGGRESSION. 35 



CHAPTER VIII. 

THE ALARM CONCERNING PAPAL AGGRESSION. 

The Rev. Dr. Gumming in Exeter — He Attacks the Papacy — 
People Alarmed — An Imaginary Papal Mandate to Regain 
Power in England — Bach's Passion Music — The Abbey 
Crowded. 

While the author was in Exeter, Devonshire, he preached 
about twenty-five sermons in Exeter Hall to attentive con- 
gregations. While he was in the city he heard the Rev, J. 
Gumming, D.D., deliver one of his lectures on " Papal 
Aggression." The Rev. lecturer, who was " a formidable 
foe of the Papacy," had become the champion of the Prot- 
estants through his " public discussion in London with 
Daniel French, the barrister, who quoted passages from 
" the fathers of the Primitive Church," and was quickly 
followed by his opponent, who quoted the citations, with 
their context, on every essential point under discussion. 

Dr. Cumming had access to the library of the National 
Museum, and made himself familiar with the Fathers of the 
Church and the history of the rise and progress of the 
Papacy. In his lecture in Exeter he said : '* The Roman 
Catholics, who built many of England's churches and 
cathedrals, were skilful architects but very poor theo- 
logians." The author is not responsible for anything the 
Doctor affirmed, but records that his lecture in Exeter, as 
in other cities, had incited alarm. " No Popery !" Vv^as 



36 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

painted on the walls of towns and cities in very large 
letters ; and on the walls of other cities, in view of a 
recent " Government grant" to the Roman Catholic Col- 
lege in Dublin, Ireland, " Down with Mayworth and 
Popery !" 

Many citizens, and some who could not read the writing 
on the walls, became very much alarmed. Some of them 
acted as if the College of Cardinals at the Vatican had 
authorized the Cardinal Archbishop of London to use any 
means to regain Papal dominion in England. Some im- 
agined that, as a vestment of the Cardinal was scarlet, it 
had invisible contact with " the scarlet woman" of the 
book of Revelation ; and that the Cardinal's pallium had 
been immersed in Papal dynamite. The alarmists seemed 
to behold a Papal Bull, and knew not that the name means 
"a bubble." Many Protestants acted as if the following 
document were actually before their eyes. 

Whereas (a) By the execrable statute of Henry VIII., the 
apostate Catholic King of England, who forced Fisher^ 
Bishop of Rochester^ to die a martyr for his loyalty to the 
Holy See of JRo7ne, also caused all who denied the Real 
Presence in the Holy Eucharist to die as martyrs, as if he 
were Christ's Vicar ; and 

Whereas (d) The King's high Parliament took cogni- 
zance of ecclesiastical causes to the temporal courts ; and 

Whereas {c) They made provision concerning clerks and 
benefices and the concerns of the hierarchy, as if he held 
the keys of the kingdom of heaven ; as if the administra- 
tion of these affairs were with the King, not with the suc- 
cessor of St. Peter ; and in addition to these hideous 
encroachments the King also caused to be enacted terrible 
penalties against the Catholic clergy ; and 

Whereas {d) People of all persuasions of all countries 
have the liberty of coming into England except those 



THE ALARM CONCERNING PAPAL AGGRESSION. 37 

who have cures in England bestowed upon them by the 
Supreme Bishop, the Vicar of Jesus Christ; and these 
only are arrested, imprisoned, stripped of their fortunes, 

I and banished ; and 

• Whereas {e) Proctors or notaries charged with the exe- 
cution of the apostolic see, if they venture to set foot upon 
English ground and proceed in the fulfilment of their 
commission, are treated as the King of England's enemies, 
cast off from his protection, are exposed to the extrem- 
est hardships, and if any Catholic discipline or apostolic 
censure is urged against this usage it is treated as a capital 
offence ; and 

Whereas (/) The Apostolic Legate in England was not 
received with the honor due to his rank, and the King and 
the Archbishop of Canterbury demanded that he should 
surrender the Bishopric of Winchester, canonically vacated 
by his acceptance of the Cardinalate, which heretofore had 
been the undisturbed possession of the Archbishop of Can- 
terbury ; therefore 

Resolved [a) That I, Pope Pius IX., the successor of St. 
Peter, authorize the recently appointed . . . Cardinal 
Archbishop of Westminster to carry out, by any means, this 
my Decretal to speedily regain for the Holy See the res- 
toration of the Papal dominion in England ; and 

Whereas (i) The Queen and Parliament of Great Britain, 
with her Archbishops, Bishops and other clergy, since the 
Reformation have held unlawful possession of our churches, 
abbeys, cathedrals and universities ; and 

Whereas (2) "Presbyterians," " Congregationalists," 
" Baptists," "Quakers," " Wesleyan Methodists/' " Prim- 
itive Methodists," " Free Methodists," " Reformed Meth- 
odists," and numerous other " schismatics " have erected 
churches and chapels and school-rooms in different places 
on the territory once under my control ; and 



38 THE CHURCH REVIVED, 

Whereas (3) The aforesaid usurpers are both heretics 
and schismatics, whose ancestors wickedly rejected the 
dogmas of the Council of Trent and daringly disregarded 
my authority ; and 

Whereas (4) Under the Church of England " Toleration 
Act" other schismatics may imitate the aforesaid heretical 
and schismatic people who *' call themselves Christians," 
until the diocesan boundaries of Roman Catholic Bishops 
and the parochial boundaries of Roman Catholic Parish 
Priests become invisible ; and 

Whereas (5) I, Pope Pius, have duly appointed you ** the 
Archbishop of Westminster," London ; in the name of 
St. Peter, by these presents I do authorize and command 
you, by the use of any means, religious, social or political, 
to diligently labor for the speedy recovery of all the Church 
property grasped from our control in the reign of the 
wicked Henry VIII., who released Great Britain from my 
triple authority ; and 

Whereas (6) My Bishops, Priests and Laity transferred 
their allegiance to successive kings of England, Ireland and 
Scotland ; you will also use any means to bring their more 
enlightened successors under my more gentle triple rule ; 

Resolved^ {b) That the Catholic Cardinal Archbishop of 
Westminster, London, freely draw on the Vatican Treas- 
ury for the amount of any deficiency in. the receipts from 
Roman Catholics in Great Britain incurred by his faithful 
fulfilment of this my decretal : 

(Signed) Pius IX., 

Christ's Vicar on Earthy Lord over God' s heritage^ 
and the Earthly King of Kings, 
Witnesses : 

*** The Arch Cardinal, 

*** The Treasurer, 

*** The Secretary of the Vatican. 



BA CH' S PA SSI ON MUSIC, 39 

BROTHERLY LOVE. 

** How beautiful the sight 

Of brethren who agree 
In friendship to unite, 

And bonds of charity ! 
'Tis like the precious ointment shed 
O'er all his robes from Aaron's head. 

" 'Tis like the dews that fill 

The cups of Hermon's flowers ; 
Gr Zion's fruitful hill, 

Bright with the drops of showers ; 
"When mingling odors breathe around, 
And glory rests on all the ground." 

Yet many who years ago were unduly alarmed, as they 
now look back admit that the Rev. Dr. Gumming, who 
said, " The end of the world is coming," the ** Pope of 
Rome is coming," just before the coming of the end of the 
world — have been forced by stern facts to admit that his 
" Holiness" remained in the city of Rome ; the Archbishop 
of Westminster has not molested England ; and that the 
Roman Catholics worship peacefully within diocesan and 
parish boundaries of the Church of England. The Arch- 
bishop of Westminster's palace is not far from Westmin- 
ster Abbey, and the dust of the Nation's great ones long ago 
or recently interred therein rest as peacefully as ever. The 
Abbey has not been defaced, but the crumbling parts have 
been restored. The dean, chapter and choristers have not 
been m.olested. To change our current of thought : if 
you will accompany the author, we will enter the Abbey. 
Should the Cardinal Archbishop see us he will not molest us. 

bach's passion music in WESTMINSTER ABBEY, 

This Passiofi music ^ once chanted by nearly all the Lu- 
theran congregations in North Germany, is still used in the 
remoter parts of Fatherland. In 1723 the Passion of our 



40 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

Saviour as narrated by St. Matthew was set to music by 
John Sebastian Bach, the musical director of St. Thomas's 
Lutheran Church, at Leipzig. Bach, keenly feeling what 
he musically depicted, threw into this production deep 
religious pathos, and it now ranks among the masterpieces 
of the musical art. The words of the first part embrace 
verses one to fifty-six of St. Matthew 26 ; and the second 
and concluding part, the remainder of this chapter to the 
close of chapter 27. During the closing week of Lent in 
1 87 1 the Very Rev. Dean introduced into the services 

IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY 

Bach's masterpiece entitled the " Passion of our Lord 
according to St. Matthew." So great was the anxiety to 
hear this simple but soul-moving production that thou- 
sands were unable to gain standing-room within the pre- 
cincts of the Abbey. That the solemnity of the services 
might not be marred by the crowding of an anxious multi- 
tude, no one could gain admission without a ticket, while 
the issue of tickets was regulated by the number of per- 
sons the Abbey would comfortably accommodate. Through 
the courtesy of Dean Stanley we were favored with a ticket 
of admission to the South Triforium, which we approached 
through the door leading to the celebrated "Jerusalem 
Chamber," in which the Revisers of the Scriptures meet. 
From our elevated position we obtained an extended view 
of the nave and aisles and choir and chancel of the mag- 
nificent Abbey, which presents one of England's finest 
specimens of pointed architecture, and beneath whose un- 
equalled proportions repose the remains of so many of the 
great ones of earth. At seven o'clock plaintive strains 
pealed from the rich-toned organ, when 

THE CHOIR GATES OPENED 

and the surpliced choristers and clergy, with the Very 



BACH'S PASSION MUSIC. 41 

Rev. Dean and the Lord Bishop of London, proceeded 
to their appointed places. The tiers of seats sloping 
upward on each side of the gates of the choir in the 
nave were occupied by the instrumentalists. The gal- 
leries of seats, which extended to the third bay of the nave 
arcades, were occupied by the hundreds of choristers, and 
the canons, and other clergy of the Abbey. The specially- 
invited guests of the Dean and Lady Augusta Stanley 
occupied the reserve rows of seats in front of the nave 
pulpit. The thousands of chairs in the nave and aisles, 
and between the stalls in the choir, and in the aisles on 
either side of the choir stalls, and in the space from the 
end of the choir stalls to the rail of the chancel, were 
occupied by the public. The beautiful Abbey, filled with 
attentive people, presented an attractive spectacle, but, 
had it been ten times larger, the vast space would doubtless 
have been filled. 

THE SERVICE COMMENCED 

with the sentence, " When the wicked man turneth away 
from his wickedness," which was said by the Rev. S. 
Flood Jones, precentor of the Abbey. The General Con- 
fession, and the Lord's Prayer, and versicle-responses were 
uttered by thousands of voices in tones of devout earnest- 
ness. After a plaintive instrumental overture the para- 
graph commencing with 

' ' Come, ye daughters, 7ve<'p with me^ ' ' 

was sung as a double chorus, and the antiphonal effects of 
the interrogatory sentences and answers were finely ren- 
dered. The recitative, " When Jesus had finished all these say- 
ings,'' etc., was sung by tenor and bass. ''Then assembled to- 
gether the chief priests,'' etc., was recited by Mr. Cummings, 
the renowned English tenor. ''Not on the feast day, lest thert 
be an uproar," was sung in double chorus with thrilling ef- 



42 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

feet. The chorus, " To what purpose is this wasted'' which 
followed the recitative, describing the anointment of 
Christ's head with very precious ointment, seemed to re- 
produce the scene described. After a contralto aria com- 
mencing, 

^^ Thou blessed Saviour^ Thou^'*^ 

and tenor and bass recitatives of the bargain of Judas 
Iscariot with the chief priests, and the keeping of the Pass- 
over, and Christ's prediction concerning Peter, the fol- 
lowing was movingly sung as a tenor solo and chorus : 

" O grief ! Now pants His agonizing heart : 
It sinks within — how pale His countenance ! 
They lead Him to the judgment hall ; 
None there is found to comfort Him, 
The powers of darkness now assail Him, 
While murderous^men prepare to seize Him. 
My Saviour ! Oh, could my feeble love 
Thine agony and sorrow 
Assuage or help t' endure," etc. 

" O Father, let Thy will be done ! 

For all things well Thou doest. 
***** * * 

Who trusts in Thee 
Shall ever be 
In perfect peace, from danger free." 

The tenor and bass recitative describing the arrival of 
Judas with an armed multitude, and our Lord's betrayal, 
was followed by a soprano and contralto duet : 
" My Saviour, Jesus, now is taken," etc. 

While this duet was sung in plaintive, moving strains, 
the chorus, accompanied by all the instruments and the 
full power of the organ, stirred the soul to its depths. 

" Leave Him ! leave Him ! bind Him not ! 

Have lightning and thunder in clouds disappeared ? 
Now open, oh, bottomless pit, with thy terrors : 



BA CH' S FA SSION M USIC. 43 

Destroy them 
And spoil them ; 
Devour them 
And crush them 
With sudden rage, 
The treacherous betrayer, the murderous throng." 

The tenor and bass recitative of the other incidents 
attending our Lord's arrest was followed by the chorale 
commencing : 

" O man, thy heavy sin lament, 
For which the Son of God was sent 
To die upon the cross." 

At the close of this chorale the Very Rev. the Dean 
preached an eloquent and impressive sermon on ** My soul 
is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death," etc. (St. Matt. 
26 : 38). The sermon produced a marked effect on those 
who heard it. The following condensed report will give 
the reader some idea of its design and scope : 

In a distinct and far-reaching voice the Dean remarked 
that he had selected for meditation ** the agony at Geth- 
semane, partly because at that point they had arrived in 
this sacred service, and chiefly because it was that which 
revealed to all ([Christians, as it were, the innermost soul 
and meaning of the whole story of the Passion. It was 
not upon the physical sufferings of the crucifixion that the 
Bible mostly invited them to dwell, but the sufferings 
which were expressed in the Garden of Gethsemane. Christ 
might have longed that the cruel suffering which He had 
so long anticipated might pass from Him. His struggle 
was not, however, human, but divine. He felt the loneli- 
ness of the hour and the desertion of His disciples ; He 
saw that Peter, James, and John, instead of watching 
around Him, had sunk into a deep slumber ; the immortal 



44 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

Divine had been constrained to turn for help to the mortal 
and the visible ; but from His own three dearest and best- 
beloved friends He obtained no help or sympathy. But 
there was yet something deeper : it was the sense of 
human wickedness entering into His soul, so as almost to 
take possession of it. In the language of St. Paul, * He 
who knew no sin was made sin for us.' The thoughts of 
the sins of the world gathered before our blessed Lord in 
millions ; they came in troops more numerous than the 
locusts ; they were an army of the living and the dead ; all 
sins were present to His memor}"^ ; the victims of hopes 
blighted, vows broken, of sophistry, unbelief, passion, 
agony of remorse, the anguish of shame, and the sickness 
of despair — all appeared before Him there. This was what 
* troubled His soul to its inmost depths, and made Him 
exceeding sorrowful even unto death.' Of all those vari- 
ous forms of anguish men may have partaken, or may par- 
take, in proportion as they had within them any particle 
of the God-like and Christ-like — any spark of the heroic, 
the saintly, or the divine — any sense of that detestation of 
sin which was amongst the purest and the best. It was to 
all a warning and a consolation, and a protestation against 
misery and wrong-doing. Another thought which had 
been uppermost in his (the preacher's) mind was the great 
example which it set of how and in what spirit men ought 
to pray. Let all ponder well the agonizing supplications 
of Him, our divine example, in the Garden of Gethsemane. 
Everything went to render the situation more terrible ; 
and surely it proved beyond dispute that there was some- 
thing nobler and higher in the efficacy and in the answer 
to prayer than the mere demanding and receiving special 
blessings for which men asked. They were encouraged 
by the narrative to lay their sins before their Father, to 
cast all their cares upon Him. 



BA CH' S PA SSI ON M USIC. 45 

" If, however, no direct answer were given — if the cup 
did not pass away from them — he enjoined them not to let 
their faith be shaken. To Christ heavenly strength was 
given to bear all the pains and sorrows that were laid upon 
Him. In the power of that strength He rose from His 
knees, no longer sorrowful, but calm and cheerful, ready 
to go forth and meet His enemies. If ever any act or 
event in the world's history was essential to its onward 
spiritual progress — essential to the elevation and purifica- 
tion of individual men — it was the anguish which that 
night represented to them, so supremely conveyed in the 
words, ' Thy will be done.' " 

The Dean's able sermon prepared the mind for the in- 
creasing musical intensity of Part II. of Bach's " Passion 
of our Lord." After the contralto solo, 

' ^ Alas ! now is my Saviour gone^ ' ' 

Christ's trial before Caiaphas was vividly reproduced by 
responsive tenor and bass. The answer to the high priest's 
questions was sung by all the choristers, accompanied by 
all the instruments, and the sudden answer of the blood- 
thirsty multitude, 

" He is guilty of death /" 

was musically startling ! So also was the sarcastic inter- 
rogatory, 

** Oh^ tell us^ Thou Christy who now smote Thee .?" 

Soprano and tenor and bass soloists pathetically recited 
the inspired narrative of Christ denied by Peter, and the 
apostle's bitter sorrow, after which, with a violin obligato, 
a tremulous contralto plaintively wailed, 

' * Have mercy upon me^ O Lord, fur I am in trouble : 
My strength faileth me because of 7nine iniquity. ' ' 



46 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

The answer to Pilate's question whether he should release 
Christ or Barabbas was sung in double chorus, accompanied 
by all the instruments and organ diapason, and the start- 
ling shout, " Barabbas !" rang through the Abbey like the 
rattling of suddenly discharged musketry ! The effective 
rendering of " What shall I do., then., with Jesus 2'' and the 
full chorus answer, ''Let Him be crucified f which was re- 
peated with increased power of the wildest intensity, can- 
not be described. 

The tempest of feeling roused was then subdued by the 
plaintive chorale, 

" Oh, Thou whose head wast wounded 
And pierced with prickly thorn," etc. 

The inspired narrative describing the supernatural dark- 
ness accompanying the crucifixion was recited by Messrs. 
Cummings and Beale in solemnizing tenor and bass. The 
Saviour's loud cry, 

''My God., My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me f* 

was sung in tones expressing the climax of mental agony, 
and pierced to the soul's innermost recesses. Mr. Cum- 
mings, who produced a marked impression by his plaintive 
rendering of the sentence, " Peter went out and wept bit- 
terly," caused a general thrill by his recitative, "Jesus 

CRIED WITH A LOUD VOICE AND DEPARTED." The CmotionS 

excited by the thrilling rendering of the Saviour's dying 
cry were tranquillized by the bass aria, "'Twas in the 
cool of eventide," and the solo and chorus, 

*' Now doth the Lord in peace recline, 
His troubles o'er which for our sins He long hath borne," etc. 

This was followed by the plaintive double chorus, 

"In tears of grief we here recline, 
Murmuring to thee in the tomb," etc., 



BACH'S PASSION MUSIC. 47 

which closed the musical part of this deeply interesting 
service. The Dean having pronounced the benediction, 
the immense audience quietly left the Abbey. The soul- 
moving and solemnizing effects of the service described 
will not soon pass away. 



48 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER IX. 

THE ADOPTION OF THE TERM " THE PAROCHIAL MISSION.'* 

Mission at Bedminster, Bristol — Clergymen in a Coal Mine — 
The Number of Mtssiotiers — The Bishop of Derry appreci- 
ates Enthusiasm — The Twelve Days' Mission in London — 
Bishops Mission Leaders — Preparation for the P re-Lent Afis- 
sion in London — Bishops Address the Clergy — The Retreat at 
Cowley — Clerical Retreat in St. Paul' s Cathedral. 

A NUMBER of years after the Rev. Robert Aitken re- 
turned to the Church of England the Holy Spirit moved 
the awakened clergymen to hold a series of consecutive 
services, termed " a mission," in parishes whose rectors, 
vicars or incumbents welcomed them. The first mission 
that incited unusual interest was held in Bedminster, a 
suburb of Bristol, and the Bishop of Gloucester, now the 
Archbishop of York, preached the opening sermon. In ad- 
dition to the services in the parish church some of the 
mission clergy visited an adjacent coal mine, and preached 
to the coal-blacked miners, who seldom saw the sunlight, 
and did not often hear a sermon. This visit to the mine, 
soon noised abroad, removed the impression that church 
clergymen imagined that the Church was established for 
their own benefit and to minister only to the wealthy and 
respectable ; and before the mission services closed persons 
poor and ignorant crowded the church where they were 
held. Among them were some who were shoeless and 
their garments patched. God's blessing rested on the 



THE TERM " THE PAROCHIAL MISSION:' 49 

mission, rich and poor were benefited, and the missioners 
greatly encouraged. 

At the time the mission referred to was held, of the more 
than twenty-two thousand clergymen of the Anglican 
Church, only seven of them labored as evangelists. But 
their number gradually increased ; more missions were 
held : and occasionally a few of the aroused rectors would 
leave their comfortable rectories to conduct, missions in 
parishes whose rectors desired their co-operation. Promi- 
nent among the leading missioners were the Rev. Robert 
Aitken, of Penzance, Cornwall, and the Rev. Father Ben- 
son, of Cowley, Oxford, who organized a Brotherhood 
of Missioners. For several years the missions held in 
parishes remote from each other, though greatly blessed, 
excited only local interest. General interest was awak- 
ened by the twelve days' mission held at the same time in 
sixty of the London churches, in the year 1869. Their 
pews were filled, aisles and naves and entrances crowded, 
and thousands, unable to gain an entrance, reluctantly re- 
turned to their homes. Many Christians were aroused 
and many sinners saved ; and the newspaper reports of the 
services caused amazenient that the Gospel was so ear- 
nestly, faithfully and affectionately preached by clergymen 
of the Church of England. 

The author saw in London the missioner who obtained 
the first license from a bishop to hold parochial missions. 
He was one of the Cowley Brotherhood of Missioners, and 
retained the official document. After missions had been 
held in other towns and cities, and their usefulness as a sup- 
plementary parochial agency had been thoroughly tested, 
some of the missioners resolved to hold no more by mere 
episcopal sufferance, and that they would implore no more 
" mission licenses." If bishops were willing to inaugurate 
missions, and share the responsibility of their failure or 



50 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

success, they were ready to labor as heretofore, and loyally 
co-operate with bishops who would be their overseers and 
leaders. Their flame of holy fervor could not be easily 
extinguished, and that it might shine within the Church of 
England" bishops wisely concluded not to imitate their 
too cautious predecessors in the days of Whitefield and the 
Wesleys, and have true church work done within their dio- 
ceses yet free from their authority or canonical control. 

The eloquent Bishop of Derry said : "If some of our 
clergy can preach to sinful women of the love of Jesus 
Christ until the tears trickle between their jewelled fingers, 
and make the powers of the world to come present, causing 
men at enmity to feel that it is a fearful thing to be in the 
hands of a just and holy God, but a blessed thing to be at 
peace with Him through the Lord Jesus Christ, let us not 
try to put a hand of ice upon their lips of holy fire." 

A number of bishops realized that it is incongruous to 
claim as diocesan territory places which they never visited, 
and where are multitudes for whosfe soul welfare the 
Church was doing nothing. Bishop after bishop and rec- 
tor after rector resolved to reach them through missions, 
not to supersede but to supplement the parish system, be- 
cause it had proved inadequate to meet the soul necessities 
of all classes. Missioners heartily co-operate with rectors, 
and their supreme desire is, through God's blessing, to 
melt what the rectors mould or nurture. Ajid the arch- 
bishops, bishops, and the majority of their clergy may no 
longer be called " idolaters to the Church's quiet ways," 
through which so many thousands within parochial boun- 
daries had lived and died without any special efforts to save 
them hj the Church of England. The abiding good re- 
sults of the twelve days' mission held in the sixty London 
churches, in the year 1869, encouraged bishops and rectors 
to desire that missions hereafter be held on a more exten- 



THE TERM " THE PAROCHIAL MISSIONr 51 

sive scale. Over four millions of souls are now within 
the limits of the metropolis of the British Empire. All are 
within parochial boundaries, but a vast multitude have not 
availed themselves of parish church privileges, and have 
grown up parochial heathens. Under the ordinary work- 
ing of the parochial system multitudes have perished, but 
through the supplemental agency of parochial missions the 
longneglected are gradually coming under church influence. 
During the past fifty years St. Paul's Cathedral, West- 
minster Abbey, and many ancient churches have been re- 
stored or repaired. Numerous capacious new churches 
have been erected ; but vast multitudes, who are Christless 
and churchless, never enter them. As the work of the 
Church is not completed by providing church luxuries for 
the rich and respectable, and an income to meet '* current 
expenses," in view of the multitudes in London sunk low 
in vice and ignorance or benumbed by indifference, and 
the large class not vicious and in comfortable circum- 
stances, who made the Lord's Day a day of pleasure or of 
revelry, the bishops urged their clergy to implore a per- 
sonal baptism of the Holy Ghost, to prepare to benefit 
" all sorts and conditions of men," for whom the Church 
prays ; and to remember that even criminal men and 
fallen women should no longer be left by the Church to 
the tender mercies of policemen and to the sole care of chap- 
lains of reformatories and of penal institutions. Because 
multitudes are dying without hope, the prayer ascends, 

" Revive Thy work, O Lord, 

Thy mighty arm make bare ; 
Speak with the voice that wakes the dead 
And make Thy people hear. 

" Revive Thy work, O Lord, 
Disturb this sleep of death. 
Quicken the smould'ring embers, Lord, 
With Thine Almighty breath." 



52 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER X. 

THE ANCIENT CHURCH OF PERANZEBULO. 

Entombed in Sand during looo Years — The Mounds of Sand 
Removed — -Plainness of the Architecture — St. Per an Preached 
the Gospel in Cornwall — St. Augustine Arrived in England at 
a Later Period — The Fate of Unfaithful Apostolic Churches. 

To visit Peranzebulo, on the northwest coast of Corn- 
wall, the author walked from Truro to the barren belt of 
sand hills which now gird the shore of Perans Bay. The 
whole region is wild and cheerless and desolate. The 
numerous sand hills resemble the mountain waves of the 
roused ocean. Some are so high that the adjacent ocean 
can only be seen by climbing their summits. Numerous 
rabbits burrow in the region, and are kept from starving 
by stunted and coarse herbage that here and there cover 
a few of the mounds. But, though nature is here in a gar- 
ment of sadness, and even sea-birds with piteous scream 
hasten from the region, the site of the present vast amphi- 
theatre of sand hills was once a place of joy and gladness. 

Here a happy people lived, and here early Cornish 
Christians worshipped. The place now covered with sand 
hills is celebrated in Cornish annals ; for princes and 
nobles were among the number who resorted hither to wor- 
ship at the shrine of Peran, the devoted Cornish apostle. 
But the celebrated church built over his resting-place, 
with the adja^cent dwellings and verdant meadows, gradu- 
ally disappeared. The powerful waves of the Western 



. THE ANCIENT CHURCH OF PERANZEBULO. 53 

Ocean gradually lashed down the ancient sea barriers. 
Though the anxious inhabitants labored with all their 
might to keep back their encroaching invader, the Atlantic 
became the victor. And while the ocean gradually sub- 
merged portions of the land the fierce northwest wind 
furiously blew the sands from the shore into the hillocks 
that entombed the gardens and dwellings and the vener- 
able church. Year after year the depth of sand increased, 
till at length the escaped inhabitants could not point to 
the site of their ancient homesteads, nor to the revered 
spots where beloved ones reposed. 

The devoted Cornish Christians were thus deprived of 
the privilege of meeting in their ancient church ; but as the 
result of proverbial Cornish zeal there was another church 
erected on the other side of the valley, and close to a 
brook, which was considered an effectual barrier against 
approaching sands. But the audits made for draining the 
tin mines gradually dried up this liquid protection. Ac- 
cording to an ancient historian, several centuries since 
" the parish was almost drowned with the sea sande that 
the N. W. winde whileth and driveth to the lande in such 
force as the inhabitants have been once already forced to 
remove their Church, and yet they are so annoyde, as they 
dayly lose their lande." About the close of the seven- 
teenth century the second edifice was partially buried by 
the gradually deepening sand, and often access was 
difficult. At length the second church was abandoned, 
and a third one erected three miles distant. This build- 
ing, which has a tower, two aisles and transepts, is partial- 
ly built of the ancient pillars and aisles removed for this 
purpose from the second edifice at the time of its abandon- 
ment. It was with no ordinary feelings that we gazed at 
this ancient stone memorial, and surveyed the whole edifice 
from its present lofty pulpit. 



54 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

Though for many centuries the Church of St. Peran 
had been concealed beneath the sands, and the aspect of 
the surrounding region had been totally changed, its site 
has been discovered, and the sands that entombed it, 
from its foundation to its highest pinnacle, have been re- 
moved. Though the waves foamed, and the winds blew, 
and clouds of sand suffocated, W. Mitchell, Esq., undis- 
mayed by former failures, removed the accumulating sands 
of centuries, and about forty years ago " had the un- 
speakable honor and happiness of laying open to admiring 
crowds the ancient British church, and of presenting it to 
the wonder of antiquarians and the gratitude of Cornish 
men." The architecture was unpretending, the walls 
rough but solid, and the door-way ornamented on the 
corbels of the arch. In the nave of the building, attached 
to the western, northern and southern walls, were stone 
seats of very simple construction, while in the unadorned 
chancel, at the eastern end, stood a neat stone altar. The 
church originally contained a curious stone font, which 
we saw in the church last erected. When the altar was 
removed three skeletons were discovered, one of unusual 
size, supposed to be that of the venerated St. Peran. As 
this church was built centuries before the Romish mission- 
ary Augustine touched British shores, and its history 
proves that the Anglican Church was not of Romish 
origin, we stood on this ancient site, and also surveyed its 
adjacent monument, with feelings of profound interest. 
Century after century the British Christians in Cornwall 
resisted Papal usurpation. For rejecting the practices of 
Rome they were pronounced "a detestable army," *' a 
polluted people;" but with great fortitude they declared 
their entire independence of the authority of Rome. A 
fragment of a preserved portion of one of their protests 
reads : ** Bee it known toallXtian people, that we are fel- 



THE ANCIENT CHURCH OF PERANZEBULO. 55 

low servants and members of one Church of God." Ac- 
cording to reliable history, the Anglican branch of the 
Apostolic Church was founded by St. Paul. At a very 
early period the Anglican Church was canonically repre- 
sented in General Councils. When Augustine arrived in 
Britain he found organized dioceses, with bishops, priests 
and deacons. The Anglican Church exercised her spirit- 
ual functions for centuries before the chief pastor of the 
diocese of Rome received the title " Universal Bishop." 

The Church of St. Peran was entombed for centuries 
through a physical cause, but recalls the fate of the 
apostolic churches of Asia Minor, which became invisible 
through moral delinquency. 

That unappreciated privileges God removes in judg- 
ment is evident from the fate of the once flourishing 
churches in Corinth, Philippi, Colosse, Thessalonica, and 
the seven churches in Asia Minor. Their ministers were 
stars, and the congregations candlesticks, and one like the 
Son of Man in glory shone amongst them. But when the 
stars shone not, and the candlesticks gave no light, what 
was the result ? What is the present condition of the 
places where the Gospel sun once shone ? Lonely walls, 
tenanted by the jackal, now occupy the site of the once 
populous city of Ephesus, whose church was incited to 
prove faithful by the promise, " To him that overcometh 
will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of 
the Paradise of God " — Rev. 2:7. In Smyrna, whose 
church was cheered by the promise, " He that overcometh 
shall not be hurt of the second death" — Rev. 2 : 2 — there 
are but two Protestant churches, and Protestant schools 
have failed ; and where the truth was once preached 
superstition reigns ! In Pergamos, whose Church received 
the warning, " Repent ; or else I will come unto thee 
quickly, and will fight against (the Nicolaitanes) with the 



56 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

sword of my mouth" — Rev. 2 : 16 — out of a population of 
sixteen thousand, fourteen thousand are worshippers of the 
false prophet of Mecxa ! Thyatira, whose Church tolerated 
the teaching of the false prophetess Jezebel, was lost to the 
Christian world from the fall of Constantinople until 
brought to light in the seventeenth century, under the 
Turkish name Akhissar ! Sardis, whose Church in St. 
John's day had 2, few undefiled names, shows that when a 
church candlestick is removed commercial prosperity de- 
parts, and social attractions wane ! Sardis is now a mas- 
sive ruin, with scarcely a house standing, and the region a 
scene of gloomy solemnity ! Philadelphia, before whose 
Church the Saviour had opened with the key of David a 
door of usefulness, did not perpetuate her glory or her 
privileges. On the site of the church edifice in which the 
Te Deuni was wafted, and in which was confessed, "We 
have left widone the things which we oicght to have done," a 
massive ruin is the present monument of glories and privi- 
leges that lost their succession ! 

The Church of the Laodiceans produced no fruit, and 
the members were notoriously inactive. They refused to 
bestir themselves for their own or for others' good. They 
were not characterized by the sensationalism of holy fervor, 
nor that of chilling ice. Had the Bishop of Derry been 
their angel the eloquent Bishop's caution not to freeze en- 
thusiasm would have been unnecessary. For the clergy 
and laity of the Church of Laodicea were " neither cold 
nor hot," and so offensive to the Saviour that He 
threatened to expel them ; and even the place where 
she slumbers is a mass of ruin and a scene of desolation ! 

Where are the churches that once belted Africa ? Apos- 
tolic Church candlesticks have been removed. Through 
their removal enterprise stagnates, commerce slumbers, 
improvement puts on a robe of rags, civilization dies ! 



THE ANCIENT CHURCH OF PERANZEBULO. 57 



And those who complain that to build so many churches 
and support so many bishops and other ministers is a 
very expensive luxury, must be reminded that if God 
should permit all the churches in a city to be closed, and 
on His servants' lips place the seal of silence, what it 
would cost them to erect new prisons, support more police- 
men, and pay busy hangmen to dispose of the lawless who 
would destroy them and seize their property would be 
much more formidable than dropping the smallest silver 
coin or a nickel on the plate when the offertory is taken, 
however worthy the object for which an appeal is made ! 
Let those who complain of the repeated appeals of our bishops 
for means to enable them to extend the Church remember 
that unwise Church economy is national destruction. 

An able divine has stated that ancient cities with scarce 
an exception wasted from the day when the truth was re- 
moved, and grew into monuments— monuments whose 
marble is decay^ and whose inscription is devastation — telling 
out to all succeeding ages that the readiest mode in which 
a nation can destroy itself is to despise the Gospel with 
which it has been entrusted, and that the most fearful vial 
which God can empty on a land is that which extinguishes 
the blessed shinings of Christianity ! 

That the exalted privileges of the clergy as ambassadors 
of Christ be not removed, let us prove by wakeful activity 
that we appreciate them. That the great privileges of the 
laity be not taken from them, whatever they can do to 
extend Christ's Church let them do with all their might. 
Let those who take hold of worldly enterprises with such 
intense earnestness, and advance such large sums to tunnel 
mountains, and bridge valleys, and compass the earth with 
electric wires, and build steamships to go to the ends of 
the earth, and expect no returns from their investments for 
years — let them not treat Christ's Church as they treat a 
questionable creditor, nor as Dives fed Lazarus ! 



58 



THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



May the whole Church earnestly pray for the descent of 
the Holy Spirit, whose warmth can melt the ice of spiritual 
winter ; whose light can reveal joys substantial and eternal ; 
whose dew can moisten the fallow ground and cause celes- 
tial fruits to grow, and whose consolations give the pre- 
lude of the glad song of the redeemed : 



'* Unto Him who hath loved us, 
And cleansed us from sin, 
Unto Him be the glory 
Forever. Amen 1" * 



THE NEWTON THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION. 59 



CHAPTER XI. 

THE NEWTON THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION, MASS. 

Four Eventful Years — Sorrow upon Sorrow — Blessing after 
Blessing — * ''Aunt Mary Ann" — " Bertie and Jamie ' ' — 
' ' Fannie and Freddie ' ' — The Professors and their Families — 
The Rev. Messrs. Adlam^ Osier ^ and Alden, 

The author would be ungrateful should he not include a 
brief reference to Newton Center. But he writes with 
mingled emotions of gratitude for blessings vouchsafed, 
and thankfulness for the uniform kindness of many friends. 
During his residence at Newton he saw both sunshine and 
darkness ; but 

" Behind a frowning Providence God hides a smiling face," 

Sorrow followed sorrow in rapid succession, and blessing 
succeeded blessing ; God graciously kept His afflicted 
child's head from sinking beneath billows of trial, and 
fulfilled His promise : 

" When thou passeth through the waters, I will be with thee ; 
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee." 

While at Newton Center his sister, while suffering from an 
attack of neuralgia, was drowned. On Saturday he left 
Newton to preach at a distant place on Sunday. During 
his absence his sister Mary Ann was found dead, drowned 
in the Charles River. The Rev. Horatio B. Hackett^ D.D..^ 
Professor of Hebrew and Biblical Exegesis, conducted the 



GO THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

solemn funeral services. The other professors of the semi- 
nary, the Rev. H. J. Ripley, D.D., Professor of Sacred 
Rhetoric ; the Rev. Dr. Arnold, Professor of Ecclesiastical 
^ History ; the Rev. Alvah Hovey, D.D., Professor of Sys- 
tematic Theology and President of the institution, and the 
Rev. Oakman Stearns, D.D., pastor of the church, took part 
in the services, and, with the students, accompanied the 
funeral procession up the hill to the place of interment 
beyond the Mansion House. Having obtained permis- 
sion from the trustees of the institution, the remains of the 
author's son, ''Jamie,'" — who, through an accident in New- 
port, died a happy little Christian j and the Rev. Dr. Adlam, 
pastor of the First Baptist Church, preached the funeral 
sermon, which was afterward printed in the Watchnian,^^ — 
were removed to Newton.* The sympathy and kindness 
of the Rev. Le^nuel Osier and his wife are here with gratitude 
recorded. Later, his little boy, Bertie, died in his father's 
arms of malignant croup. At the funeral service, at the in- 
stitution cemetery, the Rev. Dr. Hovey tenderly sustained 
his trembling pupil, v/hile his fellow-students softly sang 
the anthem : 

** Cast thy burden on the Lord, and He will sustain thee.^^ 

Having for four years studied Hebrew and Biblical Ex- 
egesis, taught by Professor Haskett ; Systematic Theology, 
by Hovey ; Church History, taught by Professor Arnold, and 
Sacred Rhetoric by Dr. Ripley, the author graduated with 
the members of the senior class. When receiving their 
diplomas, the professor who delivered the address quoted 
what a quaint Divine had said : " When your clothes are 
worn out, you can buy a new suit ; if your health should 
fail, it may be restored ; if you lose your money, you may 
earn more ; but if you lack common- sense, ojily God can help you .'** 

* The preacher nozv rests in Paradise. 



THE NEWTON THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION. 61 

After the author had graduated he became pastor of the 
new Baptist Church at Brighton. At its dedication the 
professors referred to took part in the services. Before he 
** accepted the call " he had stipulated that " the choir lead 
the singing, and permit the command of the Psalmist to 
be obeyed : 

" Let the people praise Thee, God, 
Yea, let all the people praise Thee." 

When all the pews had been rented., and the new church was 
filled, some of the well-to-do occupants demanded more 
attractive music. After due consideration, the pastor 
concluded that it might be a waste of time to make discord 
by contending with the music committee, backed by Mani- 
mon^ and he wrote his resignation, not of his preference for 
congregational singing., but of his pastoral charge. At the 
time specified he preached hX"^ farewell sermon., and departed 
in peace from Brighton. Immediately he became /^i'/(?r of 
the Worthen Street Churchy in Lowell.^ Mass.., of which" the 
Rev. Dr. Lemuel Porter had been for years one of the able 
predecessors, and who was much beloved. 

In the second year oi the author's pastorate in Lowell, and 
when the Church and society were unusually prosperous, 
he received word from London, England, that his only 
brother had been seriously injured. At the time when a 
pyrotechnic factory, not far from Spurgeon's Tabernacle, 
was on" fire, F. G. Bonham was near, and learned that one of 
the employes had not escaped. He hastened to the third floor., 
and found her. Hurriedly he led her safely to one of 
the front windows. Sudde?ily a rocket went off, struck his 
head, and he was hurled to the street, and in the confusion 
was trampled upon by some of the people. Soon after- 
ward the tidings reached Lowell that the accident hastened 
his death, and that his remains reposed in one of the Lon- 



62 . THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

don cemeteries, which the author has visited. A few 
months later the pastor's dearly loved boy "'Freddie''* was 
sick with scar let- fever. So soon as practicable his parents 
took him to the house of his maternal grandparents sXLake- 
ville^ Mass,^ that a change of air might facilitate the child* s 
co7nplete recovery. But alas ! after their arrival his aged 
grandmother was smitten with apoplexy. Within a few 
days her grandson, '' Freddie .^^ had become much worse. 
The grandmother in one room at intervals uttered her 
dying groans ; and her grandchild in an adjoining room 
uttered his dying groans, but in a feebler tone. After a 
few struggles he died in his father's arms ; and before day- 
dawn his grandmother departed this life. . . . 

The remains of Freddie were taken to Newton to rest, 
until the first resurrection, near the remains of his '* Aunt 
Mary Ann'* and "little Jamie." From this mournful 
scene the bereaved parents returned to Lakeville to follow 
to the tomb Freddie's grandmother. A few months later 
the pastor's only daughter, Fannie.^ grew weak, and rapidly 
lost buoyancy of spirit. Mrs. Henry Fenner^ of South 
Orange, N. J., whom Fannie dearly loved., and who dearly 
loved Fannie., came to Lowell to see and to cheer her. 
While Mrs. Fenner remained with her Fannie seemed to 
improve, and again became cheerful. Mrs. Fenner had 
returned to South Orange to attend to her own children, 
who also loved ''little Fannie.,** and Fannie loved them. 
Early one morning, as if a celestial messenger had ar- 
rived to bear another soul on high, with extended arms 
and open hands and an ecstatic look Fannie exclaimed : 
" Take me!** . . . She also now rests in the sacred little 
cemetery at Newton Center. The father here makes a 
record of the kindness of the Rev. Dr. W. H. Alden, the 
successor of the Rev. D. C. Eddy, D.D., who was pastor 
of another Baptist church at Lowell. The professors at 



THE NEWTON THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION. 63 

Newton again showed the much afflicted parents very great 
kindness. If the reader were the author, could you leave 
the beloved friends at Newton out of your book ? The Rev, 
Dr, Hackett^ and the Rev. Dr. Ripley^ and the Rev. Messrs. 
Henderson and Perry., two classmates, who followed the 
author into the Episcopal Church., with President Talbot., an- 
other dear classmate, are now 

" Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep, 

From which none ever wake to weep." 

Ajid as the fa^nilies oftheprofessors sympathized with the 
author when he was bereaved., in grateful re7iiembrance he here 
gives expression to his heartfelt sympathy for them, cheered 
by the hope that soon, in the New Jerusalem, 

" We shall meet with those departed, 

Who have bowed beneath death's wave. 

* * 46- * * * ■55- 

" We shall meet those buds of promise 
Blighted by death's chilling hand ; 
We shall see their fadeless beauty 
Blooming in the goodly land." 



64 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER XII. 

THE ^AUTHOR RESOLVES TO REVISIT ENGLAND. 

He Resigns his Pastorate— Proposes a Successor — The Farewell 
Service — Resolutions and a Purse — AriHves in Pngla?id — The 
Guest of Wm. Ki7tg, Esq. — The Rev. Dr. Taylor — Why the 
Author cannot be his Successor — -The Rev. Dr. B. Candlish 
— The Rev. Dr. Guthrie. 

Early i^i the third year of the author's pastorate in Lowell 
he concluded that he needed a change in order to re- 
cover his waning energy and increasing depression, and 
concluded to resign his pastoral charge. The deacons 
urged him not to do so, but to take a six months' vacation. 
After due consideration, as he could not rapidly recuperate 
if the cares of the Church were still on his mind, he pro- 
posed to the pastor of the Baptist Church at Altleboro, 
Mass., to exchange pulpits on a Sunday specified, so that 
the Attleboro pastor could form an idea whether he would 
settle in Lowell if the Church so desired. The author, 
while in Attleboro, was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Guild, 
the latter- one of his wife's sisters, who, a few years later, 
departed this life ; her husband soon followed her ; and 
within a few years her father followed his deceased wife 
•to Paradise. Thus 

" Friend after friend departs. Who hath not lost a friend ? 
There is no union here of hearts that knows not here an end." 

The people of the Worthen Street Church were pleased 
with the pastor from Attleboro. " and sent him a call," 



THB: a UTHOR re sol VES to re visit ENGLAND. 65 

which he soon afterward accepted. The members of the 
Worthen Street Church, at the "farewell service," pub- 
licly presented their retiring pastor with a series of reso- 
lutions ; also a purse of money, to enable him to make 
a special visit to any desirable place when on the other side 
of the ocean. "'The farewell meeting' was mutually 
pleasant ; but with conflicting emotions we bade each 
other * good-by^ ' but not forever. 

Very soon he also said " farewell " to his wife and only 
son, "Joseph Fenner," and sailed from Boston to Liver- 
pool. After his arrival he was the guest of William King^ 
Esq., of Liverpool, and in his cheerful household gradually 
regained strength. At this visit he became acquainted with 
the Rev. William M. Taylor., who invited him to preach in 
the Presbyterian Church at Bootle. This large church was 
the result of Dr. Taylor's intense devotion and great per- 
severance. After the much-beloved pastor left England to 
be the minister of " the Broadway Tabernacle" in New 
York Mr. King was tcnofficially asked : if the elders should 
call his guest, would he accept the vacant pastorate ? 
The gentleman was not then aware that the visitor from 
America was a member of a " Close Communion Baptist 
Church." 

So soon as his strength permitted he went to Glasgow, 
Scotland, and visited museums and universities on week- 
days, and heard eminent Scotch divines preach on Sun- 
days, including the Rev. Dr. Caird, of Glasgow, who had be- 
come widely known through a single sentence in the 
sermon he had preached when "the Queen was present!'* 
The Doctor had the Scotch temerity to say : " So far as or- 
ganization may be involved, there is no more true religion 
in the Established Church of England than in the Royal 
Exchange at its metropolis !" " The Doctor is an able and 
impressive preacher, but years ago used hard sentences. 



66 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

In a sermon on * We who have Believed do Enter unto 
Rest/ the learned professor and preacher said : * The Chris- 
tian's rest is not the rest of immobility^ but the rest of eqtii- 
poise.' " The verger conducted the author to a seat 
located where he could hear and see the preacher, and take 
notes of the sermon, and also his oratoric portrait. Attired 
in gown and bands, the Doctor preached a very able and 
instructive discourse, which was solemn and impressive. 

While in Glasgow, the author heard the Rev. Dr, Ca7idlisJi^ 
a fearless leader of the " Free Kirk schism. " He ascended 
the stairs of his pulpit more rapidly than Canon Liddon enters 
the pulpit at St. Paul's, London ! A small fold of the Doc- 
tor's gown was caught by the pulpit door as he quickly 
closed it, but it was released by the attending verger. The 
Doctor's face was wrinkled, and his noble head had curly 
hair. His accent was ""' very Scotch.'' His utterance was 
rapid. His sentences were bright with lucid textual expo- 
sition. At times he placed his hands on his notes, as if an 
invisible thief designed to steal them, looked straight into 
the faces of his deeply attentive hearers, and nervously ut- 
tered his successive sentences. He then straightened him- 
self for a moment, and in the style described began a new 
division. The learned Doctor "spoke from a warm heart 
and made cold hearts feel, and this is eloquence." Dr. 
Candlish lived to see the disruption storm his power had 
evoked calmed. He died in peace, sincerely loved, greatly 
admired, and highly respected. He possessed the fearless- 
ness of John Knox whenever he believed that right was 
on his side, and fought against the Established Church of 
Scotland as daringly as Dr. Gumming, of the Scotch Kirk, 
Crown Court, London, battled against ** Papal aggres- 
sion" in England. 

In Edinburgh the author attended service in the crowded 
church in which the Rev. Dr. Guthrie preached. The 



THE AUTHOR RESOLVES TO REVISIT ENGLAND. 67 

theological prayer gave the key-note of the sermon. The 
preacher was six feet in height, had a noble presence, great 
power of graphic description, a sonorous voice and 
fluency of speech. "It was good to be there." The 
Doctor preached a powerful and impressive sermon on 
man his own tempter, and the subtle and vigilant adver- 
sary his external tempter to induce him to commit his 
easily besetting sin. Dr. Guthrie was the pioneer in estab- 
lishing ''Ragged Schools" in Scotland. He was also a 
great friend of the poor who exist in the disease-breeding 
hovels of Edinburgh, and also a leader in the Midnight 
Mission efforts to rescue the fallen and abandoned from the 
bitter pains of the second death, A person was asked : 
"How does Dr. Guthrie compare with Dr. CandlishV' 
" The hearer of Dr. Candlish may be compared to a person 
passing through a field of ripened wheat ; but the hearer of 
Dr. Guthrie resembles a man who is passing through a 
beautiful garden of variegated and fragrant flowers." 

The Rev. Dr. Guthrie now rests with many of the rich 
and of the poor whom his pictorial sermons allured to " set 
their affection on things above." The Doctor when first 
settled became discouraged. He closed one of his sermons 
by relating an illustrative incident. The sleepy hearers 
became attentive. He pursued the same mode on succes- 
sive Sundays. His congregation gradually increased, until 
his church could contain no more. As from his study win- 
dow he could see the distant ocean, and had seen some ves- 
sels wrecked, his nautical illustrations closed a number of 
his sermons. It was reported that he could not preach with- 
out using one of them. This is an exaggeration belonging 
to the class, "always, all the time, forever," etc. It is, 
however, true that after he came to Edinburgh, at times he 
related what he had seen of the eventful life of those who 
sail in ships and do business on the deep waters. 



68 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

THE REV. C. H. SPURGEON, THE BAPTIST ORATOR. 

The Metropolitan Tabernacle — Americans with Bowie Knives—-^ 
The Opening Service — The Blind Mail s Ecstasy — Spurgeon s 
Continental Tour — Caricatures of the Papacy — The Baptistery 
at Pisa. 

During the building of the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London 
the Rev. C. H. SpiLrgeon o-QXicXM^^di "not to preach in his 
new Tabernacle until the capacious structure had been 
paid for, so that it would be the Lord's, and not the build- 
er's." He did not approve of debts on places for the wor- 
ship of Almighty God. To him it was painful to read of 
a church or chapel that had been built for one of God's 
holy temples sold by the sheriff to cover the amount of the 
foreclosed mortgage. He therefore consented to receive 
the proceeds of the sale of tickets of admission to his own 
services in many places toward the fifteen thousand pounds 
sterling — the cost of his Tabernacle. Shortly before the 
Tabernacle was completed the author was conducting 
evangelistic services in Annan, Scotland, the birthplace of 
Edward Irving. Desiring to be present at the opening 
services, he arranged with the Rev. Dr. Reed, author of a 
book named " The Blood," to take charge of the service at 
the close of the farewell sermon. The author pressed 
through the crowded aisle, entered a carriage in waiting 
outside, and travelled during the night, and reached Lon- 
don in time to attend the bazaar in the Tabernacle. There 



THE REV. C. H. SPURGEON. 69 

v/ere no " wheels of fortune," nor " grab bags," nor other 
gambling devices. But he was amused when a fair lady- 
said : "I do not admire Americans!" "Why not, 
madam ?" She answered : " I have been told that some 
of them carry a pistol, or ' bowie' knife, or ' dagger,' " 
was the answer. He was a little amused, for on her own 
large table were several ugly-looking daggers for sale, in 
order to increase the building fund ! So7iie people were at 
that time ignorant of much that pertained to America 
and Americans. 

At Madam Tussaud' s exhibition of life-like wax- works of 
eminent people now dead, a visitor said to Captain Knight : 
" You speak the English language very plainly !" With a 
smile, he replied: "Yes; I learned English while at an 
American school." He was additionall}?' amused when 
told that his complexion was fair for a native American. 
The intQWigQnt-looking Englishman imagined that the 
majority of American citizens were colored folk ! An 
eminent Scotch divine., who kindly accompanied the au- 
thor to the Orphan Buildings in Bristol, to persuade Mr. 
Mliller, their founder, to admit him then, as he might be 
unable to visit Bristol on a day when visitors were admitted, 
soberly asked : "'Is not Virginia in Neiv Engla7id .?" He was 
very familiar with Hebrew and Greek, and a reliable author- 
ity on "Biblical Exegesis," but he had neglected to study 
the geography of America. Because some Englishmen, 
many years ago, first settled in Virginia, he supposed that 
they had left ''old England for new England !"* The 
author did not purchase one of the daggers at the Taber- 
nacle bazaar referred to, and the lady who had them on 
sale was no longer afraid of some Americans. 

At one of the opening services afterward held in the 

* This dear brother is now numbered with the " blessed dead." 



70 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

paid-for Tabernacle^ one of the preachers was an eminent 
Baptist minister from Bristol, whose people did not exam- 
ine " insurance tables" to ascertain '* how long he would 
probably live," but when he was sixty years of age they 
built for him a more capacious house of worship ! The 
Rev. Mr. Spurgeon., before he introduced him, said that a 
colored clergyman from America had asked him whether 
the five points of Calvinism had reference to the reflect- 
ing gazaliers in the oval dome of this vast building ; and 
then introduced the Rev. Evan Probert, of Bristol, who 
would enlighten him on " one of the five points of Calvin- 
ism — Y\z.^ God's Sovereig7iiy 171 Election." At another service , 
an author, whose practical works have had a wide circu- 
lation, was the preacher, and his " point" ''Effectual Call- 
ing ^ But the reporters dropped their pencils and the 
audience smiled when he said : " This calling will be 
^effectual, because the calling is by the /^eternal, /zomnipo- 
tent, and the /^everlasting Jehovah." Mr. Spurgeon, 
after the service, asked : " Do I add the h to words be- 
ginning with a vowel?" "No," was the answer; "but 
an English Methodist minister in America exhorted his 
hearers, saying : " If you feel your need of religion, come 
h^X once /^up to this haltar !' ' 

When the Tabernacle was opened for religious services^ eminent 
divines of ** all persuasions" were present. Services were 
held daily for nearly three weeks. The author heard the 
Rev. Mr. Spurgeon's first sermon therein, and also the able 
sermons of others. One afternoon he was showing his 
father, a Congregational minister, the new marble bap- 
tistery, and smilingly said : " My father cannot see the 
use of so much water !" The pastor is naturally humorous, 
and also reverential. He sometimes makes his auditors 
smile, and at other times weep. But for his power of re- 
action, his highly wrought-up mind would lose its balance. 



THE REV. C. H. SPURGEON, 71 

At the first baptism in the Tabernacle one of the candi- 
dates was a bli?id 7?ian. As each came up out of the water, 
he was led by one of the deacons to the back of the 
baptistery. When all the candidates had been immersed, 
they faced the congregation, and while over six thousand 
voices were singing, " Praise God, from whom all blessings 
flow," the blind man's face beamed with brightness. The 
light of life in his soul shone through his seared and up- 
raised eyeballs. Many who had eyes to see him had to 
wipe their tears away in order to gaze at the sign of his 
ecstasy. 

The Rev. T. Armitage, D.D.^ of New York, who was the 
Rev. Mr. Spur ^e on' s guest ^ and the Rev. Dr. Fulton^ of 
Brooklyn, who also preached in the Metropolitan Taber- 
nacle, often interest friends by relating incidents respect- 
ing the renowned and useful pastor, who, when a young 
man, was shamefully maligned, caricatured, and held up 
for public ridicule. Because the Rev. Mr. Spurgeon 
was admired for his Calvinism, and the Rev. Mr. Bel- 
lew, a church clergyman, for his smooth rhetoric, a Lon- 
don caricaturist sought to enrich himself by publishing a 
portrait of each side by side, entitled ''Brimstone and 
Treacle f But for many years the latter has retained his 
hold upon masses of the people. To the affirmation, 
'* But most of his hearers are very illiterate," this is the 
answer : "It would be a miracle if over six thousand 
hearers who are fools could be induced to crowd the vast 
Tabernacle whenever the pastor preaches !" His brother 
is a Baptist minister ; but the pastor of the Taber- 
nacle said: "My brother is the gentleman preacher; 
I am the working minister." The elements of Mr. 
Spurgeon' s powers as a sacred orator are : {a) He pos- 
sesses a very sensitive nervous system ; {p) a good constitu- 
tion ; ic) cultivated vocal organs ; {d) unusual facility of 



72 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

utterance ; {e) a degree of self-confidence, so that when he 
" has an idea," without much trembling he can express 
it lucidly, and with corresponding emotion. He has a 
sonorous voice, and his general style of preaching may be 
termed the intensified conversational. His sermons are 
intensely practical, for he believes that there is no preaching 
like that which is experimental, and that those who try to 
do good to others must first do good to themselves, because 
it is in vain to give instruction on paths which the instruc- 
tor has never trodden, or to speak of the benefits of grace 
which he has never experienced. 

One evening three young men were inattentive in the 
upper gallery ; but he soon made them ashamed, by say- 
ing : " When I go to a Jewish synagogue, as is the cus- 
tom, I always wear my hat. But this is a tabernacle, not 
a synagogue ; and if the three young Jews yonder will re- 
move their hats they will comply with the custom of men 
in this place of worship." They instantly took off their 
hats, and no longer disturbed the people who were near 
them. Mr. Spurgeon occasionally causes a smile by a 
sentence like this : " The devil had received so many hard 
knocks from John Knox, of Scotland, that when Knox 
was dying Satan gave him hard knocks ! but through God's 
grace the adversary was defeated, and John Knox died i?i 
triujnph.'' In some respects Mr. Spurgeon is like the 
Vicar of Kidderminster, who united in revival work with 
the Wesleys and Whitefield. When rebuked for making 
people smile, he replied : " I was born with the fool's cap 
on my head, and cannot remove it." American clergymen 
nobly " stand up for their brethren." When one was 
asked : " How does Mr. Spurgeon compare with Mr. 
Beecher ?" he replied : *' Mr. Spurgeon is the Bunyan of 
the English pulpit, but Mr. Beecher the Shakespeare of 
the American pulpit." 



THE REV. C. H. SPURGEON. 73 



A few years later the author heard Pastor Spurgeon' s lect- 
ure on his " Continental Tour," which was one of great 
interest, and was frequently and loudly applauded ; and 
though its delivery occupied more than two hours, none 
seemed weary of listening, though many must have been 
tired of standing. The lecturer graphically described the 
ruins in Paris of what was venerable and beautiful ; alluded 
to the little time allowed to passengers to dine at Dijon ; 
to the hand-chapping cold that greeted them at Lyons j to 
his great pleasure at seeing theM diterranean Sea, on which 
St. Paul had sailed and where the Euroclydon blew ; de- 
scribed his ride from Marseilles to Nice — rocks on every 
side, of the loveliest color, like shot silk, varying ever as 
you passed between them, peeps ever and anon of the 
blue sea, olive gardens everywhere, and orange groves in 
full bearing ; gave an account of how he spent Sunday in 
Nice ; of his first acquaintance with mosquitoes, which he 
unfortunately shut inside his bed curtains ; alluded to his 
sermon preached to a congregation of English, French, 
Spaniards, and Lascars on an American man-of-war, and 
thought his name should be enrolled as a Chaplain of the 
United States Navy ; described his charming ride by 
Monaco as he proceeded toward Italy j alluded to the pict- 
uresque scenery, and the gardens of semi-tropical pro- 
duce, and the balmy air, and indescribable prospect seen 
along the beautiful road from Mentone to Genoa j referred 
to the leaning tower at Pisa, and to the splendid baptistery, 
** that evidently was never built for the baptism of babes, 
any more than the Mont Cenis Tunnel was built for a fly 
to buzz through."* He described his arrival in Rome, 
the memorable Arch of Titus, the Colosseum, St. Peter's, the 

* This statement is misleading, for on corners of the capacious bap- 
tistery are sections for the immersion of the " little ones." 



74 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

Vatican^ the Catacombs^ Rome s works of art and relics. The 
lecture was closed by a number of dissolving views painted 
from photographs sent home by Mr. Spurgeon. The size of 
the Tabernacle permitting the use of a very large screen, 
the views were seen with unusual advantage, and included 
the Ruins of Paris, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Arch of 
Titus ^ and St. Peter s at Rome^ and also several of the 
caricatures at that time circulated in Rome, showing that 
the popular feeling toward the Pope and the Papal system 
was one of hatred. 

Mr. Spurgeon also gave an interesting account of the re- 
ligious services he held in the ''Eternal City'' — how he was 
interrupted at one of them by a secular priest, and of his 
sermon in the Presbyterian Free Church. As he had been 
charged with having said and done some very strange 
things, he replied that he did nothing remarkable, but 
preached there the same as he did at home. 



SPURGEON'S INCREASING INFIUENCE. 75 



CHAPTER XIV. 

THE REV. C. H. SPURGEOn's INCREASING INFLUENCE. 

His Enemies Disappointed — Ministei^ial Subtlety — ■ Various Kinds 
of Evangelists — Consecrated Laymen — Richard Weaver — 
Reginald Radcliff — Mr. Thistlethwait — The Handsome 
English Nobleman — Bible Readings in Drawing-Rooms — 
Siunmary of Spurgeon s Ministry — The O^^b of Revival 
Ascending Higher, 

The Rev. Mr, Spurgeoii s foes labored to make him appear 
ridiculous^ but only increased his popularity. Street sing- 
ers sang satirical songs, and sold printed copies to the 
crowd who listened to their doggerel. One, which de- 
scribed him as possessed of great ability to make sover- 
eigns jump from people's pockets into his Tabernacle's 
treasury, was illustrated by an old wood-cut caricature of 
a stout " Lord Bishop" in his robes, and grasping in each 
hand a heavy bag of gold, with the large amount therein 
printed on each sack. When Mr. Spurgeon preached in the 
old Park Street Chapel a report was circulated that, to show 
how easy it is to descend to perdition, he slided headfore- 
most down the handrail of the stairs of his pulpit ; but to 
show how hard it is to reach heaven he laboriously climbed 
up the railing to his pulpit door. Those who visited the 
chapel to witness grotesque clerical gymnastics saw neither 
stairs nor handrail, for he entered through a doorway at 
the back of the pulpit. Many whom curiosity had induced 
to visit the chapel were greatly disappointed, but some 



76 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



were benefited, and in due time added to his increasing 
congregation. 

Even 507126 of the ministers made him a target ^or their 
ridicule, and labored to destroy the youthful preacher's 
influence. But after his new Tabernacle was opened they 
cringingly paid the renowned pastor their *' profound re- 
spects, and desired a seat near him at the opening ser- 
vices !" Mr. Spurgeon says he is indebted to his eneiiiies for 
his great popularity ; but as they have exhausted their re- 
servoirs of slander and satire, future assailants must 
quote from their malicious predecessors. It is said that 
" one man, with the Lord on his side, is an iminense major- 
ity." Mr. Spurgeon' s foes learned that this is true ; for 
his Tabernacle is crowded, the work of revival is continu- 
ous, many are weekly converted, and after their baptism 
the pastor gives each some humble work to do in the name 
of the Lord ; and they gladly labor, singing : 

" There's a work for me, and a work for you, 
Something for each of us now to do ! " 

The Lord yearly raised up all kinds of ministers to preach 
the Gospel to all kinds of people. Richard Weaver^ 
the converted prize-fighter, became a valiant soldier, 
and in fields and large squares fearlessly preached the 
Gospel to very rough people. English, and Irish, and 
Scotch evangelists, including Brownlow JVorth^ itinerated 
through Great Britain, and preached a free and full salva- 
tion to whosoever believeth. Evangelist Caughey^ of America, 
visited many Methodist chapels, and caused a great stir 
among " backsliders and sinners who are at ease in Zion." 
Talented laymen, like Reginald Radcliff^ consecrated their 
fortunes to Christ and their time to proclaim His glories. 
The author was with this devoted evangelist at the begin- 
ning of the revival ifi Paris, and aided him at the after-meet- 



SPURGEON' S INCREASING INFLUENCE. 77 

ings. The converts included The Rev. Pastor Monod' s talented 
so7i^ which caused his highly esteemed father and numer- 
ous friends to greatly rejoice. 

Mr. Thistlethwait followed Mr. Radcliff' s example, and 
we aided E. P. Hammond at services in churches in Liver- 
pool, and helped each other at evangelistic services in the 
streets. After one service a man said : " I was on my way 
to commit suicide, but the singing attracted my attention, 
and here I ain alive f ' Lord Radstock^ called * ' the handsome 
nobleman of England," without whose presence no fashion- 
able party was considered " complete," after his conver- 
sion gave Bible Readings in the drawing-rooms of some of 
England's aristocracy, and awakened a great interest in 
*/ the Word of the Lord." Ln St. Petersburg he held similar 
services in the palace, and members of the royal household, 
including countesses and princes, while listening to his 
expositions of the Gospel, shed tears of penitence. At the 
close of the services a number " heartily thanked him for 
having shown them the Way of Life and directed them 
and their children into the paths of peace." 

A BRIEF SUMMARY OF SPURGEOn's EVANGELISTIC MINISTRY. 

Spur g eon when a lad ivas told by an uneducated and rug- 
ged Methodist lay preacher to '* look to Christ and live." 
He obeyed the command ; and soon, in very humble build- 
ings, he proclaimed His Saviour's glories to others. Many 
experienced that 

" There is life for a look at the Crucified One." 

LLis fame as a preacher soon reached London j but to the 
Deacon who sent him the official invitation to become the 
Pastor of the Park Street Chapel he modestly replied 
that the Deacons were probably not aware that he was but 



THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



eighteen years of age. He afterward consented to visit 
them, but when he saw the massive columns of the chapel's 
portico his heart sank within him. His sermons produced 
a very deep impression ; the almost deserted chapel was 
soon crowded, and he decided to accept the call, and to 
preach Christ in London ; but so many " believed and 
were baptized " that after the capacious chapel was en- 
larged it could only accommodate the members of his 
church. Exeter Hall, the Surrey Music Hall, and the 
largest halls that could be secured for his evangelistic ser- 
vices, were too small lo accommodate crowds who thronged 
their entrances anxious to hear the full-orbed Gospel 
preacher. 

At the ti?ne the youthful preacher began his ministry in London 
many ministers almost apologized for preaching what God 
had revealed, and their sermons were apologetic. But 
after they learned that Spurgeon had gathered so large a 
congregation by emphasizing the awful threatenings of 
the Gospel, as well as its precious promises, many of the 
timid ministers became courageous ; and, realizing that 
they were not responsible for the solemn truths revealed, 
but only for their faithful proclamation, they imitated his 
example. Newman Hall^ and Robert Aitken, and Father Ben- 
son., and other pastor- evangelists earnestly preached the whole 
Gospel to crowded congregations. Bishops., Deans and 
Canons held evangelistic services in the naves of abbeys 
and cathedrals, and proclaimed to the long-neglected 
masses that the Saviour died for them. Spurgeon s ser- 
mons preached on Sundays are printed on Mondays, and 
sold at a penny per copy ; and some are used by minis- 
ters who are neither Baptists nor Calvinists, but whose 
churches or chapels are at a distance from London. His 
sermons resemble the fragrance and freshness of spring. 
Each contains some phase of the Gospel emphasized with- 



SFURGEOA'^S INCREASING INFIUENCE. 79 



out monotony of phrase or the constant reiteration of " one 
idea." Many have been translated into different lan- 
guages ; and the Gospel trumpet sounded in the Metropol- 
itan Tabernacle is echoed and re-echoed through various 
parts of Christendom. 

The holy fervor and moral courage of Pastor Spurgeon en- 
kindled zeal and holy boldness in others ; and God's bless- 
ing on his labors incited many to utter, with emphasis : 
" Thus saiih the Lord'' and " Verily^ verily^ I say unto you f 
From the Metropolitan Tabernacle shekinah brightness 
seemed to shine upon the divided tribes of Zion ; and Gos- 
pel patriarchs, including the Rev. Dr. Binney, of London ; 
Dr. W. Hamilton., of Leeds ; Rev. John Angel James., of 
Birmingham ; the Rev. EvanProbert., of Bristol ; Dr .Raffles, 
of Liverpool ; the Rev. Dr. Woods and the Rev. Dr. Bonar, 
of Scotland ; the Rev. Denham S??nth^ of Dublin ; and the 
Rev. Dr. Bunting., with other venerable ministers in Eng- 
land, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, in view of the bright 
precursors of another great revival, could say, with 
Simeon : " Lord., noiv lettest thou thy servant depart in 
peace. 

The eloquent Dr. Punshon and Evangelist Caughey, Method- 
ists ; the Rev. Dr. Parker, of the London Temple, Congre- 
gationalist ; the Rev. Dr. Cum77ting, the Rev. Dr. James 
Lfa?nilton^ and the Rev. William M. Taylor, Presbyterians ; 
the Rev. LLugh Stowell Brown, who preaches to several 
thousands in his enlarged Baptist Chapel, Liverpool, and 
to many thousands more at " services for the masses" in 
the open air ; the Archbishop of York, the Deans of St. Paul's 
Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, and emine/if canons of 
their chapters, are included among the ministers who 
preached Christ crucified, the Saviour of the world. For 
a season temporary iron churches were rapidly erected in 
long-neglected districts ; but, as they could not contain 



80 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



the people who are hungering and thirsting for the Gospel, 
the capacious stone churches crowded with devout wor- 
shippers, like St. Peter's new Church, Dulwich, London, of 
which the Rev. W. Calvert, A.K.S.., is the faithful Vicar., are 
memorials that wherever the pure Gospel is plainly, ear- 
nestly and affectionately preached, the good results are 
generally identical. 

Miille}-' s OrpJian Houses illustrate what temporal and spir- 
itual blessings one man, who is " full of faith," can bring 
from God's treasure-house of plenty for poor neglected 
children. The work of Evangelists Moody and Sankey shows 
what united clergy might do to " rescue the perishing;" 
and the widespread influence of Spurgeon manifests what 
one man full of the spirit of the living God might do to 
revive languishing Zion. 

The Fastofs College attached to the Tabernacle is sup- 
ported by the weekly offertory of a penny from each visitor, 
amounting to over ten thousand dollars per annum ; with 
this and donations from other sources Mr. Spurgeon is en- 
abled to pay able professors, and to support a large number 
of students who are practically instructed. Year after year 
his earnest evangelists visit different places at home and 
abroad ; soon competent pastors follow them to take 
charge of the new congregations gathered through God's 
blessing on their faithful labors. 

' ' Like a new orb flinging its splendor upon the evening sky., ' ' 
the Rev. C. H. Spurgeon showed ministers what they 
ought to do to save the masses and how to reach them j and, 
in view of the holy impulse he gave to ministers of high 
and low degree to bring sinners to the Saviour, is not 
the Pastor of the Metropolitan Tabernacle, London, worthy 
of a conspicuous place in the gallery of evangelists 
under whose labors the orb of revival is rising higher and 
higher ? 



SPURGEON'S INCREASING INFLUENCE. 8] 

" Soon shall we see the glorious morning. 

Saints arise ! saints arise ! 
Sinners, attend the note of warning, 

Saints arise ! saints arise ! 
The resurrection day draws near, 
The King of saints shall soon appear, 
And high the royal standard rear, 

Saints arise ! saints arise ! 

" Hear ye the trump of God resounding, 

Saints arise ! saints arise ! 
Through all the vaults of death rebounding^ 

Saints arise ! saints aris€ ! 
To meet the Bridegroom, haste, prepare, 
Put on your bridal garments fair, 
And hail your Saviour in the air, 

Saints arise ! saints arise !" 



82 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER XV. 

" WHY DID THE AUTHOR RETURN TO THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH ?" 

How he was Led to Leave it — The Lnfluence of a Companion 
— Where did Christ Command that Children be Baptized] 
— LLe Could not Find the Passages — Embarrassed by ' ' Close 
Communion' ^ —Resolved to Return to the Church in which 
Baptized — Severe Mental Conflicts — Following the Path of 
Duty — Made a Deacon by Bishop Clark — Ordained Presbyter 
by Bishop Stevens — Other Ministers Follow his Example. 

When about twelve years of age the author' s most i7itimate com- 
panion was a Baptist. After they had seen a number of 
children baptized in St. James' Church, Bristol, England, 
his youthful associate asked him : *' Did Christ ever com- 
mand that children be baptized ?" Though he could 
repeat the whole of the Church Catechism, his beloved 
Sunday-school teacher had not instructed him respecting 
the proper subjects for baptism ; and the only answer he 
could give was : " Christ took little children into His arms 
and blessed them." But to the question : '* Did He baptize 
them ?" he could give no satisfactory answer. As. he could 
find no passage commanding, " Baptize the little ones," 
and as there is no evidence that the jailer at Philippi or 
Lydia of Thyatira had any children, he was much per- 
plexed. But the immersion of adults by the Rev. G. 
Muller, in Bethesda Chapel, and by the Rev. Evan Probert, 
in the Pitha)?- Chapel, and the accompanying solemn ad- 
dresses based on positive precepts, very deeply impressed 



''WHY DID THE AUTHOR RETURN?'' 83 



ihim. At first he accompanied his companion to the Bap- 
tist Chapel occasionally ; but at length he became a mem- 
ber of the Sunday-school class taught by Mr. Preble, and 
attended the other services regularly. On one occasion a 
servant 'was sent to order him home, and to thus leave the 
chapel greatly embarrassed him ; but at last he was per= 
mitted to attend regularly, without fear of censure. 
Several years after he revisited Bristol, and saw his Church 
and his Baptist Sunday-school teachers. Both treated 
him with very great kindness, as did also the J^ev. Evan 
Probert^^ who desired his photograph for his parlor ; and 
another, with his " Pauline Chart," was placed in the Sun- 
day-school room of his new Baptist Chapel in Stokes Croft. 
Surely, this was kind ; for though he had left them they 
did not disown him, but were willing that his picture re- 
mind them of former days. 

While conducting the revival services in Scotland re- 
ferred to in Part I., Chapter I., p. 6Z^ the author was anxious 
to avoid religious controversy — which will partly neutralize 
the good of any revival — and on communion Sundays ab- 
sented himself, without giving his reasons. At a comm.union 
season in Spurgeon's Tabernacle, instead of sitting near 
the pastor, he took a seat in the upper gallery ; but Mr. 
Spurgeon saw him, and said aloud : ** Some one is in the 
gallery who ought to be down-stairs to commune, even if 
exposed to discipline for communing with open communion 
brethren !" He concluded that if he should ever change 
his Church relationship he would do so in his adopted 
country, and not where the waters of the Atlantic rolled 
between. After some Evangelistic services that he held 
at Bootle, Liverpool, he was invited to take charge of the 
Baptist chapel until they could secure a permanent minis- 

* He is now with the spirits of the just. 



84 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

ten The Rev. Dr. Raffles ^^ Congregationalist, the Rev. 
Dr. Birrell, Xh^Rev. Hugh Stowell Brow7i^\ and the Rev. Will- 
iam M. Taylor^ D.D.^ had cordially welcomed him to their 
homes and their pulpits ; and a large chapel in Liverpool, 
for continuous Evangelistic services, was available ; yet 
he concluded to make no ecclesiastical change when so 
far away from home, and told the deacons of the chapel 
named that he could not serve them as desired, because 
they were *' open communion," and he was a member of 
what a minister called "^ tight communion" church in 
Massachusetts. But as they offered to " dispense with 
the communion service until they could secure a minis- 
ter," he concluded to serve them until then. At the 
** farewell service," in the Sunday-school room, on the 
wall at one end the word " Welcome'' had been placed, 
and at the opposite end the word ''Farewell.'' Among 
the ministers present were the new minister, the tempo- 
rary pastor, and the Rev. William M. Taylor, now pastor 
of the Broadway Tabernacle, New York City. After the 
*' Tea Meeting" — tea provided by the ladies — and devo- 
tional services. Dr. Taylor delivered an able address, wel- 
coming the new pastor. The retiring temporary minister 
congratulated the deacons and congregation that they had 
obtained a permanent shepherd. Then Dr. Taylor spoke 
encouraging words to the temporary pastor, who intended 
soon to sail for home in the Great Eastern. But, alas ! 
she broke her rudder, lost her paddle-wheels, and after 
ten anxious days we were towed into the cove of Cork, 



* He is now at rest in Paradise, awaiting the resurrection of the just. 

f He was a nephew of the eloquent Canon Stowell, of Manchester ; 
had left the Church of England, and soon became an eminent Baptist 
and a famous lyceum lecturer, as well as an out-door preacher to the 
masses. He departed this life February 24th, 1886. 



"IVI/y DID THE AUTHOR RETURN?'' 85 

Ireland, and at once sent telegrams and letters to friends 
that we were safe and sound, and soon sailed for New 
York in another steamer. 

Soon after the autho7'' s arrival in A77ierica he became the 
pastor of the Baptist Church in Woonsocket, R. I., and 
did not intend to change his Church relationship, for he 
thought the embarrassments described might not occur 
again. After he had been in Woonsocket about fifteen 
months he concluded to face the unpleasant term " change- 
able." This was facilitated by a Congregational minister, 
whose labors the Lord had blessed at special services in 
the lecture-room ; but after the sermon on the following 
Sunday, knowing that he would not be welcomed to 
receive the Holy Communion, ha left the church ; and 
the pastor was as much perplexed as a prominent Baptist 
deacon, in Philadelphia, who confessed that " he welcomed 
Evangelist Hammond's converts to the ordinance of Holy 
Baptism, but could not invite him to the Holy Commun- 
ion !" 

Not to act hastily^ the author examined every passage in the 
Septuagint and in the New Testament that referred to 
baptism, and after due consideration concluded : (a) while 
the primary import of the term refers to immersion, and 
in the time of our Saviour baptism was thus administered, 
a mode adapted to an Oriental clime is impracticable 
in other climes ; iji) this mode applied to persons and not to 
things ; {c) the Jews did not immerse, but, as commanded, 
sprinkled what they ceremonially purified ; {d) at the 
Feast of the Passover, when the Lord's Supper was insti- 
tuted, the disciples did not immerse their hand when they 
" dipped " a portion of the paschal lamb in the sauce of 
bitter herbs ; {e) Dives did not refer to " much water" when 
he implored Lazarus to " dip the tip of his finger in water to 
cool for a second his parched tongue. " Because the author 



86 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



could no longer affirm that the word baptize, " unlike o\h^x 
words," has one invariable meaning, and, therefore, bap- 
tism by immersion is the only mode to God acceptable, he 
finally concluded that it would not be honest to live on 
money received from the Baptists, when he could no longer 
advocate their " distinctive principles and polity." He was 
favorably impressed by the Prayer-Book rubric: "Then 
shall the minister take each person by the right hand, and 
placing him conveniently by the font, . . . then shall dip him 
in the water <?;'/<5'//r7£/^/^r upon him, saying : * I baptize thee 
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
Ghost, Amen.'" As the author had immersed so many 
persons in England and America, this Church authority 
respecting the subjects and modes of baptism was a great 
comfort to him. He inferred that when emperors became 
Christians, and multitudes of the people were baptized, 
the clergy gradually departed from the primitive mode, 
and adopted the easiest method of administering this holy 
ordinance, which has now become general ! 

As Coiigregational Church polity allows any member to vote 
on important Church matters, independent of their degree 
of intelligence — and some deacons assume more authority 
over their ministers than the " Lord Bishop of London " 
or " His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury" — the author 
resolved to return to the authority of the Church in which 
he was baptized, and informed Alexander Ballou, Esq., of 
his decision. After he had told the other deacons, 
all were greatly perplexed ; for as the congregations were 
large, and all the pews rented, they had just resolved that 
higher rates be charged for their use, but at once resolved 
that the resolution be rescinded. " For the welfare of the 
Church and society " the author was earnestly desired " not 
to publicly announce his determination to return to the 
Episcopal Church." Though this was very embarrassing, 



"WHY DID THE AUTHOR RETURN?'' 87 



a visitor at the parsonage soon broke the vow, " I will not 
mention it to any one ;" and it was not necessary to publish 
it in the papers. 

The author was stirprised by the offer of " liberal compen- 
sation if he would preach one sermon on Sundays while a 
candidate for holy orders;" but this was impracticable, 
while the suggestion that " if he would continue to be their 
pastor, the Ghurch would probably consent that hereafter 
no person who loves the Lord in sincerity and truth should 
be excluded from the table of the Lord !'* But he consid- 
ered this course undesirable, for he had not become their 
pastor to adopt iconoclastic methods, but to build them up 
in the name of the Lord. Deacon Jilson and the others, 
with the members of the church and congregation, treated 
him kindly, which he is glad to record. 

In view of the kindness of many Baptist ministers, to 
whose pulpits he was welcomed, including the Rev. Dr. 
Armitage, who left the Church of England because his 
vicar or incumbent was dissatisfied with some of his 
answers to parts of the Catechism, and said, " You have evi- 
dently been to the Methodist chapel with your Evangelical 
Aunt ;" the kindness of the Rev. D. C. Eddy, who had rec- 
ommended him as a candidate for an " influential church" 
in Philadelphia ; the disappointment expressed by his 
classmates at the Newton Theological Institution ; the 
Rev. Dr. Simmons and others ; and his great respect for 
the professors who had kept him from sinking beneath 
billows of affliction, made his decision to leave the Baptists 
additionally painful. His mental sufferings he will not 
attempt to describe, for his decision, courage, and 
sympathies were strained to their utmost tension ; and at 
times he felt, " If the will of the Lord, would rather die 
than leave dear old friends, to begin life anew among 
comparative strangers ; for some churchmen had said, ' Most 



88 777^ CHURCH REVIVED. 

of those who come from the sects into our Church become 
extreme ritualists ! ' " But one brother said : " When I 
entered the Church some of the Evangelical clergymen 
seemed to view me with suspicion ; but the high churchmen 
treated me more cordially, and expressed no misgivings." 
But after personal communications with the professors at 
Newton, the president, the Rev. Alvah Hovey, D.D., kindly 
came to Woonsocket, patiently listened to his reasons for 
his unlooked-for decision, and preached two able sermons, 
to cheer the distressed flock. The Rev. H. B. Hackett, D. D. , 
sent him a very kind letter, saying that " he could not be 
expected to be glad to denominationally lose his old pupil, 
but he did not question the sincerit)'' of his motives, and 
desired that he might be useful in the Church he loved 
more than any other." Professor Ripley also treated 
him kindly. 

THE author's farewell SERMON IN NEWPORT, R. L 

The Rev. H. Malcolm, D.D., earnestly desired him to re- 
consider his decision, for while he would be free from Bap- 
tist " close communion," he would be bound by " a close 
Episcopal pulpit," for he could not admit to his own pulpit 
his own beloved and venerated father. The Doctor argued 
with him all night, but could not convince him that his 
decision was unwise. As, after the death of the Rev. Dr. 
Choules, the author received a call to be his successor, 
and he had a number of friends in Newport, he accepted 
Dr. Malcolm's hearty invitation to occupy his pulpit. On 
Sunday morning he preached on the text, " And Pilate 
gave sentence that it should be as His foes desired; and they 
took Jesus and led Him away." The sermon set forth the 
dangers of sacrificing principle on the altar of policy, as 
portrayed by the accompanying results and the Procurator's 
awful end. In the afternoon he preached on the words : 



WHY DID THE AUTHOR RETURN?'' 89 



" Upon this Rock I will build my church, and the gates of 
hell shall not prevail against it." The sermon depicted the 
vicissitudes of Christ's Church in different ages ; how God 
frustrates her foes ; and at the resurrection her final victory 
over sin and death and hell " through Jesus Christ her 
Lord." 

The author was made a Deacon by The Rt. Rev. T. M. 
Clark^ D.D., LL.D.^ in Grace Church, Providence, R. I. 
He was ordained a Priest by The Rt. Rev. W. B. Stevens^ 
D.D., LL.D.^ in the Church of the Intercessor, Philadel- 
phia, Pennsylvania. The sermon was preached by the 
Rev. Dr. Perry, now the Bishop of Iowa, and the candidate 
presented by the Rev. James Saul, D.D., Rector of St. 
Bartholomew's Church, Philadelphia. 

The Rev. H. Malcolm, D.D., and several other ministers, 
who said : " He will soon regret that he left the Baptists," 
followed his example, but, so far as the author knows, they 
have expressed no regrets ! 



90 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



I 



CHAPTER XVI. 

THE AUTHOR AT WORK IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

The Bishop's Churchy Philadelphia — Trinity Churchy Keokuk — 
Visit to Des Moines — The Guest of Bishop Lee — Trinity 
Churchy Chicago — St. Paul's Churchy Peoria— Is Organic 
Unity Practicable 2 — Its Advantages — The Believers' Re- 
union. 

For over five years the author was Rector of the Church 
of the Intercessor, Philadelphia, in which he had been 
ordained Presbyter. For the future welfare of the parish it 
became the Bishop's Church. All the pew-doors were re- 
moved, and the church proclaimed " free." The Rector 
preached the opening sermon, which showed that the cruci- 
fied Saviour was the central theme and all-pervading truth 
of Apostolic preaching. The Bishop preached an eloquent 
and practical sermon in the evening, and the people who 
occupied the one hundred and sixty-eight pews and the 
extra seats were deeply interested. The Bishop appointed 
the author the Rector, and preached in his own church as 
often as his numerous duties permitted. The church was 
built during the war, and financially embarrassed ; and that 
the capacious edifice was saved to the Church caused great 
astonishment. 

The years of labor and anxiety had severely taxed the 
Rector's strength, and by the advice of his physician he re- 
signed the Rectorship, in order to regain his energy. The 



WORK IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 91 

kindness of Bishop Stevens in desiring him to remain in 
charge he highly appreciated, but he needed the rest his 
physician advised him to take. One of the public notices 
kindly said : 

** The Rev. J. W. Bonham, Priest in charge of the 
Bishop's Free Church, has resigned his position, and will 
take temporary rest before assuming other duties. Mr. 
Bonham became Rector of this church, then known as the 
Church of the Intercessor, at a period of great depression, 
when the financial affairs of the parish were in almost hope- 
less confusion. Aided by friendly laymen, the Bishop very 
wisely came to his rescue last year, and by prompt busi- 
ness arrangements saved to the Church a property worth 
$80,000. Mr. Bonham has labored intensely for five years, 
and to his and to the Bishop's zeal this valuable result is 
thankfully attributed. When business plans are perfected, 
and the working details decided, it is hoped that this 
church, which stands in a most conspicuous locality, will 
become permanently free from pecuniary trouble. Mr., 
Bonham has prepared the way for a successor, and de- 
serves for himself in his future sphere the gratitude and 
good wishes of the Church." 

General Reade* invited the retired ]p.ectorof the Bishop's 
Free Church to visit Keokuk, la., kindly gave him rail- 
road tickets, and after his arrival hospitably entertained 
him. By request of the Rector and Vestry he preached in 
Trinity Church, Keokuk, to attentive congregations. By 
invitation of the Rev. P. B. Morgan, he next visited Des 
Moines, and officiated in his church as his strength per- 
mitted. On the author's arrival in Davenport, la., Bishop 
Lee kindly sent a student to invite him to be his guest 
while he remained in the city. The Bishop's geniality 



* He is now at rest in Paradise. 



92 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

greatly cheered him, and he was able to occasionally officiate 
in different churches in the city. 

When the author returned to Chicago he accepted an in- 
vitation from the Rev. Dr. Sullivan, the Rector, to take 
charge of Trinity Church during his absence from the city. 
The congregations were large, and he was greatly encour- 
aged by their fervor and devotion. Here he became ac- 
quainted with the Rev. J. H, Rylance, D.D., the earnest 
Rector of St. James' Church, now the Rector of St. Mark's, 
New York City. While in the city the author received an* 
invitation to preach in St. Paul's Church, Peoria, as they 
were looking for a Rector. He pleasantly answered that it- 
would not be agreeable to him *' to preach on exhibition," 
etc. The Vestry therefore sent a committee to worship God 
in Trinity Church, Chicago, and afterward they sent the 
temporary minister a formal invitation to accept the Rector- 
ship of St. Paul's, Peoria. Soon afterward he preached 
therein, and on the following day told the Warden that 
** the call '' had enabled him tc preach without embarrass- 
ment, and he now released the Vestry from all obligation 
respecting it. But after he had left Peoria they sent him 
telegrams and letters urging him to become their Rector ; 
and in view of their earnestness and liberality, he decided 
to do so. 

Several Sunday-schools were connected with the parish ; 
and Alexander S. Tyng, Esq., was an able teacher in the 
parish Sunday-school, and the efficient superintendent of 
St. Paul's Mission Sunday-school, which numbered about 
five hundred children. But as the Rector prepared the 
Sunday-school lessons and published St. Paul's Parish 
Guide., he soon found his strength unduly taxed ; and as 
the parish had no assistant minister, in order not to ruin his 
health he tendered his resignation of the Rectorship. One 
brother asked : " Do you think it prudent to give up your 



WORK IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 93 

salary and be at the expense of foreign travel with no in- 
come ?" He answered: " Just as prudent as to premature- 
ly die and make work for the undertaker." This would 
have been the case years ago, had he not again and again 
decided to ' ' take a rest/ ' and pay the bills after he regained 
his strength to enable him to do so. A few extracts from 
St. Paul's Parish Guide may give some idea of the Rector's 
multiform duties. 

ST. PAUL'S CHURCH. 



RECTOR. 

REV. J. W. BONHAM. 

WARDENS. 

M. Griswold. C. B. Allaire. 

VESTRYMEN. 

Orrin P. Bissell. Charies Seabury. 

P. R. K. Brotherson. James Thurlow. 

Benjamin F. Ellis. H. R. Woodward. 

Charles Ulricson. ' W. B. Hotclikiss. 

CHORISTER. ORGANIST. 

C. F. Bacon. Professor Mann. 

FREE PEWS. 

The pews in St. Paul's Church are now all free on Sun- 
day evenings. The increasing number of young men 
present at our evening service is quite encouraging. Two 
weeks since a gentleman prevailed on several young men 
to accompany him to hear the Word of Life. May others 
imitate this good example, and realize that each is ex- 
pected to do good as well as to receive good. By earnest 
persuasion, many who now profane the Sabbath and shua 
the sanctuary might be induced to use the pews, now 
made free, and hear of Him who is the Way, the Truth, 
and the Life. 



94 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



THE DECISION OF THE REV. J. BENSON. 

The numerous friends of the Rev, J. Benson will regret 
to learn that he has tendered his resignation of the Rector- 
ship of St. John's Church, Peoria, to take effect early in 
October. But as the present Rector of St. John's has ac- 
cepted the urgent and repeated call of St. James' Church, 
Lewiston, what Peoria will lose Lewiston will gain. 

IS ORGANIC UNITY PRACTICABLE ? 

The organic unity of Protestant Christendom Church- 
men intensely desire. With but little sacrifice on the part 
of the denominations, this union might be effected. In 
Ireland a body of Methodists have united with the disen- 
dowed Church. The large and influential body called 
Wesleyans have been invited to secure organic unity with 
the Church of England. The modification of the existing 
mode of entering the Anglican Church is now contem- 
plated. 

The basis for union does not contemplate perfect uniform- 
ity nor the destruction of denominational peculiarities or 
practices. The manner in which the Methodists in America 
may secure organic unity with the historic Church is thus 
set forth by the Rt. Rev. H. J. Whitehouse, D.D., LL.D. : 

" I do not regard even as possible, and certainly would 
never justify it as a formal proposition, that there should 
be, on the part of a body so large, so vigorous, so benevo- 
lent, so fully endowed, and, in some respects, so progres- 
sive, as the Methodist Church in these United States, a 
renunciation of their distinctive position in order to become 
identified in name and organization with the ' Protestant 
Episcopal Church of the United States.' But by our com- 
mon principles of Gospel faith and love, by the yearning 
of our hearts for the restoration of true unity, by the great 



WORK IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 95 

necessities of Christ's Holy Church, so distracted and dis- 
turbed, owing to the present enfeebled state of Evangelical 
Christendom, T would affectionately urge the important fact 
that they have within themselves the opportunity of draw- 
ing into still closer and fundamental union with Catholic 
Christendom, without in reality affecting the immediate 
principles or peculiar practices that led to their original 
separation. Should they entertain the importance of the 
regular historical succession in the Episcopal office, which, 
in form, they consider essential to their organization, it 
would not be even then necessary that they should seek the 
communication of that office from our branch of the Church. 
There are Moravian and Swedish successions, and if neither 
of those were by itself selected, there might be effected 
some combined arrangement from all the Protestant Epis- 
copal bodies, which would impart to the Methodists them- 
selves what would be recognized as, so far, a valid relation 
of their own Episcopal Government to the reformed 
Church. 

"It is obviously within their power, and the power of 
every Christian body thus temporarily divorced from visi- 
ble catholicity, but which body in reality holds and teaches 
the Articles of Faith as contained in th-e Creeds, to assume, 
confess, and declare those Creeds as the fundamental sym- 
bols and unchangeable expression of their faith. By a 
greater approximation through discussion, concession and 
Christian love, and large charity, with advanced historical 
knowledge, I can conceive that, without the disturbance 
of the existent discipline, each may advance to such a con- 
dition of meetness for normal unity that the manifestation 
of it, in God's Providence, may afterward proceed natur- 
ally and quietly. Not a unity of compromise ; not a unity 
that proceeds upon the basis of a real disunion ; not that 
founded so entirely upon human expediency as to be liable 



96 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

to be overturned by every breath of human caprice or will ; 
but a unity recognizing again the great purposes of Christ 
in His visible ' fullness ;' restoring the institutions as ap- 
pointed by Him, which have been perpetuated through all 
disaster, difficulty, and disorder. For this recognition of a 
real catholicity I feel that God is preparing each branch of 
His Church, and the more ordered denominations around 
us, through discipline, social advance, and voluntary assimi- 
lation." 

Should the Bishop's valuable suggestion be carried into 
effect, there would be essential unity in connection with 
liberty. In one organic fold those who desire the adminis- 
tration of baptism by ** immersion " could be immersed in 
accordance with the first specification in our baptismal 
rubric. In the same fold Presbyterians could have most 
to do with Presbyters, seeing that Episcopal visitations 
resemble " angels' visits." In the same fold the Methodists 
would not be annoyed by allusions to the youthfulness of 
their present Episcopate, and in the same fold Congrega- 
tionalists would find relief from a form of government, in 
its essential features, not carried out in practice. If all 
the elements were in the fold for which the fold was pro- 
vided, the Baptists would inspire us with zeal to act out 
our principles ; the Congregationalists would look after 
the rights of the laity ; the Methodists would incite our 
zeal and inflame our devotion ; the Presbyterians would 
regulate our zeal, inspire us with love for a " Thus saith 
the Lord," and make us respect our Church Creed and 
Catechism. 

Christendom, in antagonistic fragments, is not in accord- 
ance with the great Shepherd's plan. For the unity of all 
believers He offered fervent prayer. The longer Church- 
light is withheld, the more Christians will divide and sub- 
divide. If Luther, and Calvin, and Knox, and Brown, and 



WORK IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 97 

Roger Williams, and others, had a right to make dis- 
united churches, and label each with their own or modern 
names, others have the right to follow their example. But 
as a brol^en church-polity is the ^essential disunion, may 
all believers soon unite in one fold under one Divine 
Shepherd, acknowledging " one Lord, one faith, one 
baptism." Were all Christians in one fold, their combined 
knowledge, and zeal, and devotion would make the visible 
Church a mighty bulwark against the various forms of in- 
fidelity and error. And all true believers could then join 
in the ancient Creed, " I believe in one Catholic and Apos- 
tolic Church." 

THE editor's farewell. 

This number of the Guide will be the last that will 
be issued by the present Rector of St. Paul's Parish. The 
editor rejoices that he has been able to thus far publish it, 
and trusts that his successor may issue a Guide that 
will be far more acceptable, and accomplish greater good. 
A parish having three Mission Sunda3^-schools, but no as- 
sistant minister, certainly needs a parish press organ with 
a loud trumpet stop as well as a sweet dulciana, that the 
sound may be heard beyond the parish church. 

The special sermons preached during the seasons of Ad- 
vent and Lent, the series to young men, the series on 
Christ and the Church, in connection with the regular Sun- 
day services, with other parochial duties, have really taxed 
the strength of one man heavily. And as the Gospel is a 
treasure in earthen vessels, that the vessel may not break, 
the editor of the Guide has resolved to breathe the 
bracing air of the Atlantic Ocean. After spending a few 
months abroad, he intends to again obey Jehovah's man- 
date : ** Preach the preaching that I bid thee," and to cry 
aloud, and spare' not, lift up his voice like a trumpet, and 



98 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

show the people their transgression, and the house of Jacob 
their sins (Isa. 58 : i). 

The retiring Rector appreciates the kindness of the 
Vestry of St. Paul's Church in so urgently requesting him 
to withdraw his resignation. He also feels obliged for the 
resolutions passed, when they finally accepted his resigna- 
tion because he could not comply with their request. As 
the sheep need a shepherd, he earnestly desires that an- 
other Rector may be called immediately, and that all may 
welcome him, singing : 

" Come as a shepherd : guard and keep 
This fold from Satan and from sin ; 
Nourish the lambs, and feed the sheep ; 
The wounded heal, the lost bring in. 

*' Come as a teacher sent from God, 

Charged His whole counsel to declare ; 
Lift o'er our heads the prophet's rod, 

While we uphold thy hands with prayer." 

" Come as a messenger of peace, 

Filled with the Spirit, fired with love ; 
Live to behold our large increase, 
And die to meet us all above." 

And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the 
word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to 
give you an inheritance among all them which are sancti- 
fied. May the peace of God, which passethall understand- 
ing, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love 
of God, and of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord ; and the 
blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the 
Holy Ghost be among you and remain with you always. 
Farewell — farewell ! 



WORK IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 



99 



OUR SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. 



OFFICERS AND TEACHERS. 



REV. J. W. BONHAM, Rector. 



ST. PAUL'S SUNDAY-SCHOOL. 
Superintendent, Alexander G. Tyng. 

Librariafi, James Thurlow. 

Assistant Librarian, A. G. Tyng, Jr. 

Treasurer, ........ J. Thurlow. 

Organist, Mrs. Brotherson. 

Chorister, C. F. Bacon. 

TEACHERS. 

Charles F. Bacon. Miss M. Bestor. 

Mrs. A. G. Tyng. Miss P. Bestor. 

Miss M. L. Kuhn. Miss J. Rouse. 

Miss E. Mayo. Miss J. Cockie. 

Mrs. Brotherson. Miss E. Woodward. 
Mrs. J. W. Bonham. 



ST. PAUL'S MISSION SUNDAY-SCHOOL. 
Superintendent, Alexander G. Tyng. 

Librarian, A. G. Tyng, Jr. 

Teacher of hi f ant Class, ..... Miss F. Woodward. 



TEACHERS. 



M. Griswold. 

C. F. Bacon. 

H. W. McClellan. 

H. McKenzie. 

Mr. Green. 

C. B. Allaire. 

P. R. K. Brotherson. 

Charles J. Off. 

Mr. Gardner. 

Mrs. F. B. M. Brotherson. 

Miss Jennie Hannay. 



Miss 
Mrs. 
Miss 
Miss 
Mrs. 
Miss 
Mrs. 
Mrs. 
Miss 
Miss 
Miss 



INIary Chadwick. 
A. G. Tyng. 
Mary Wright. 
C. McKenzie. 
L. Brotherson. 
Jessie Hannay. 
C. B. Allaire. 
C. B. Tamplin. 
Garlinghouse. 
E. Woodward. 
J. Henderson. 



ST. PAUL'S MISSION SUNDAY-SCHOOL, at Wesley City, is in charge of Mr. 
IJ. SCANDRETT. 



ST. PAUL'S VINEYARD MISSION SUNDAY-SCHOOL, Mossville Road, is 
[-under charge of Mr. H. W. LEE. 



100 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



THE EDITOR S FAREWELL TO THE CHILDREN. 

The tie that now binds the pastor to the lambs of his flock 
will very soon be severed. He has prepared for you his 
last Sunday-school lessons. Soon the Atlantic Ocean will 
roll between us. But he has shed too many tears and felt 
too many pangs for your welfare to soon forget you. When 
far, far away he will lift up his heart in prayer — " O Lord, 
graciously grant that the children of St. Paul's Sunday- 
schools may be made partakers of the death of thy Son, 
and also of His resurrection ; so that finally, with the resi- 
due of thy holy Church, they may be mheritors of thine 
everlasting kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord." As 
your retiring pastor will not forget you, do not forget him. 
He has not done for you all that his heart desired, but he 
has done all that his strength permitted. Remember that 
the Lord's ministers are under the Lord's control. He 
calls away one, but in His goodness sends another. May 
He send you a pastor who may be able to do much for your 
spiritual welfare. 

Value, dear children, the privileges of the Sunday-school, 
and remember your Creator in the days of your youth. 
And as you assemble, not to be amused, but to be in- 
structed in things divine, set a high value on God's Holy 
Word. Commit as much as possible to memory. Pas- 
sages that you do not understand now may become lumi- 
nous hereafter. As God's Word reveals His great love for 
you, sets forth the atonement for your sins made by Christ 
on Calvary, pray, " O Lord, open Thou mine eyes that I 
may behold wondrous things out of Thy law." Study the 
holy gospels until you become familiar with the works and 
words of Jesus. If you believe the grand facts of the Gos- 
pel, and obey its holy precepts, you will escape its fear- 
ful threatenings, and inherit its glorious promises. 



WORK IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 101 

To the superintendents, and teachers, and scholars of St. 
Paul's Sunday-schools, the editor now says *' Farewell." 
May the Great Head of the Church bless you, and keep 
you, and cause the light of His countenance to shine upon 
you, and give you peace. And as the hope of again meet- 
ing takes the sting from " Adieu," may we each finally 
meet around the Saviour's throne, and receive the crown of 
life which fadeth not away. 

THE believers' REUNION. 

** Where no shadow shall bewilder, 

Where life's vain parade is o'er, 
Where the sleep of sin is broken, 

And the dreamer dreams no more, 
Where love's bond is never severed, 

Partings, claspings, sob, and moan, 
Midnight waking, twilight watching, 

Heavy noontide— all are done ; 
Where the child has found its mother. 

Where the father meets the child. 
Where dear families are gathered 

That were scattered o'er the wild ; 
Where we find the joy of loving 

As we never loved before — 
Loving on, unchilled, unhindered. 

Loving once and evermore — 

Brother, we shall meet and rest 
With the holy and the blest." 

The Rev, Dr, Bonar, 



FART II. 



PREFATORY NOTES. 

To the Very Rev. Dr. Church and Canon Gregory., of St. 
PauVs Cathedral^ London ; the Rev. Father Benson^ Head of the 
House of St. John the Evangelist., Cowley, Oxford, and the other 
Clergy who afforded an American Missioner facilities to study 
the different phases of parochial missions in the Church of 
England, the author is sincerely grateful. At retreats he 
saw clergymen of great distinction kneeling with brethren 
comparatively unknown, and in unison confessing their 
shortcomings to Almighty God and imploring His forgive- 
ness. From the valley of humiliation, clothed with humil- 
ity, they marched to the battlements of Zion, praying that 
God would baptize them with the Holy Spirit, and greatly 
revive the spiritual life of the Church of England. 

The clergy no longer resemble young recruits on drill, 
admiring their uniform and graceful genuflections. In- 
stead of boasting of " the fine needlework upon their 
altars," the " long cassocks, short surplices," and " brill- 
iant hoods of the officiating clergy," and the "chasuble 
tri-colored stole," and " the Eastern position of the cele- 
brant at the Holy Communion" — with no objection to 
gorgeous regalia at the Church's high festivals, for God 
is worthy to be honored by the most costly fabrics, the 
brightest colors, the richest music, the most cultivated 
voices, and the highest degree of reverence — in view of 
Zion's desolations, and her Satanic foes marshalled in 



PREFATORY NOTES. 103 

battle array to utterly destroy her, desirous that God 
may have all the glory for every victory, the clergy, in a 
spirit of humility, now devoutly pray : 

" Oh^ to be nothing, nothing, only to lie at His feet, 

A broken and emptied vessel for the Master's use made meet, 
Emptied, that He might fill me as forth to His service I go, 
Broken, that so unhindered, His life through me might flow. 
Oh, to be nothing, nothing, only as led by His hand ; 
A messenger at His gateway, only waiting for His command. 
Only an instrument ready His praises to sound at His will, 
Willing, should He not require me, in silence to wait on Him still. 
Oh, to be nothing, nothing, painful the humbling may be, x- 

Yet low in the dust I'd lay me, that the world might my Saviour see. 
Rather be nothing, nothing, to Him let their voices be raised ; 
He is the Fountain of blessing. He only is meet to be praised.^' 

The clergy are zealous "and enthusiastic, but unholy am- 
bition has departed. One servant of the Master does not 
elevate himself upon his less gifted brother. The com- 
mand is obeyed, " Let each esteem others as better than 
himself." They are soldiers of the same militant army, 
fighting for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, " who, 
when He ascended up on high, led captivity captive and 
gave gifts unto men. . . . and He gave sovciq, apostles, and 
some, eva?igelists, and some, paslors and teachers y for the per- 
fecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the 
edifying of the body- of Christ ; till we all come in the 
unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God, 
unto a perfect man, unto the me.asure of the stature of the 
fulness of Christ." None has any ground for boasting, 
for the grace that each possesses was given accoj^ding to the 
measiLi'e of Christ. 

Just so soon as Christ' s militant soldiers could say, " When I 
am weak, then I am stro?ig," and they obeyed the command, 
" Forward," their efforts to atone for past indifference 
caused exultation throughout Christendom ; and through 



104 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

the impetus of parochial missions, with the *' sword of the 
Spirit " withdrawn from the scabbard of " man fear" and 
of worldliness, they are gaining glorious conquests in the 
name of Immanuel. The Anglican Church, by reason of 
its past " negligences and ignorances," is now " humble 
as a little child," but bold as a lion of the tribe of Judah ; 
and with God's Omniscience ever watching. His Wisdom al- 
ways guiding. His Omnipresence at all times comforting, 
and His Omiiipotence ever protecting, arrayed in " the whole 
armor of God, His Church is now able to quench all the 
fiery darts of the devil, and to stand in the evil day." 
The author's outline sketches future historians may trans- 
fer to a larger canvas, and in grander groupings, and 
brighter colors, and longer perspective point \o Christ's 
militant hosts gaining still greater victories, and on their 
banner of holy deeds inscribe : " The Church of England the 
most living Church in Christendom J*'' 

" Strong in the Lord of Hosts 
And in His mighty power, 
Who in the strength of Jesus trusts 
Is more than conqueror," 



PAROCHIAL MISSIONS IN AMERICA. 105 



CHAPTER I. 

HISTORIC SKETCH OF PAROCHIAL MISSIONS IN AMERICA. 

£>ecisio7is of Several General Conventions— Bishop Huntington 
not Afraid of Revivals — Convocation at Christ Church., Owega 
— A71 Evangelist Appointed — He is Cordially Greeted by the 
Clergy. 

During the last quarter of the century a number of 
bishops and clergy of the#Episcopal Church have desired 
the appointment of an order of evangelists to itinerate 
among the '' feeble parishes," and also visit places to 
"preach concerning Christ and the Church" where our 
Church has not sounded a note of Gospel invitation or of 
warning. Through undue caution the final decision has 
been deferred from one general convention to another, and 
a committee appointed to " report to the next general con- 
vention ;" no canon authorizing the appointment of "an 
order of evangelists' ' has yet been adopted. 

Independent of the action of the general convention, a 
bishop has the power to appoint clergymen to do what- 
ever kind of Church work may promote the welfare of his 
diocese. Deeply impressed by the fact that a branch of 
Christ's Catholic Church should strive to benefit " all sorts 
and conditions of men" in all places, the earnest Bishop 
of Central New York resolved to use his episcopal privi- 
lege and appoint an evangelist to labor in his diocese. 
Xnste-ad of saying, " Revivals burn the ground all 
over," and censuring Christian ministers for not having 



106 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

" well done" what the Church had entirely *' left un- 
done/' he wisely said, " Not a word shall my lips utter 
in disparagement of religious revivals. Till there is more 
thought for things unseen in those uncounted dwellings 
around us which have no veneration, no prayer, no sacra- 
ment, no Advent, and no God, we can ill afford to despise 
any honest attempt to waken the dead to life." The 
bishop was not afraid to sow some evangelistic Gospel seed 
lest some of it might be trodden down, or by the thorns 
of worldly care be choked, or through lack of depth of 
earth perish. He was not afraid of a "revival" lest it 
should be followed by " a reaction ;" for it is better to be 
alive part of the time than to be dead ail the time. He 
did not conclude that it would be wise to refuse to appoint 
a diocesan evangelist because some denominational evan- 
gelists are too enthusiastic. 

When Chicago was in flames the aicthor^ who had been 
the Rector of the Bishops' Church in Philadelphia, Pa., 
and later. Rector of St. Paul's Church, Peoria, 111., was on 
his way to New York to cross the ocean for the recovery 
of his health. While in Liverpool he attended a parochial 
mission held in St. Margaret's Church, one of the largest 
in the city. That all classes might avail themselves of the 
privileges of the mission, eight different services at conven- 
ient hours were held daily. The missioner, the Rev. 
George Body, is described in another part of this book. 
At the evening services the large church was crowded. 
His sermons had been carefully prepared, and were effec- 
tively delivered. The ironical couplet : 

" The hearer, perplexed 'twixt two to determine, 
Watch and pray, said the text, go to sleep says the sermon," 

could not be applied to Missioner Body's sermons. One 
of them was based on the text, " Jesus of Nazareth passeth 



PAROCHIAL MISSIONS IN AMERICA. 107 

by." The eloquent preacher reproduced the -scene when 
the words were uttered ; before the sermon closed many 
realized that the Saviour was invisibly but really present 
in His holy temple. The Gospel could not be more faith- 
fully preached, nor a congregation more reverent. To 
many of the large audience it was doubtless a word in 
season, for a free, and full, and present salvation was 
earnestly and affectionately offered unto all. At the close 
t)f the sermon the choir and congregation sang, 

" There is a fountain filled with blood, 
Drawn from Immanuel's veins, 
And sinners, plunged beneath that flood, 
Lose all their guilty stains." 

Each verse was followed by the chorus often sung at 
American camp-meetings : 

" I do believe, I will believe, 
That Jesus died for me," etc. 

At the after-meetings the missioner, in his black cassock, 
walked up and down the aisle, and gave special instruc- 
tion to those who were seeking Christ and desired to be 
assured of His grace and favor. Before the mission closed 
the missioner held " a crusade," special services " for 
men only." The mission was greatly blessed, and that 
revival services had been held in one of the churches of 
England caused great surprise in all directions. This was 
a few years before the great Prelent Mission in London. 
The author was deeply impressed respecting the value of 
missions as a parochial auxiliary. After his return to 
America he declined the invitation to settle as Rector of 
St. Paul's Church, Hyde Park, Chicago, and also in- 
vitations from other parishes, and resolved by God's aid 
to "do the work of an evangelist." 

The Rev. C. E. Swope, D.D., Associate Rector of Trinity 



108 THE CHURCH REVIVED, 

Parish, New York, recommended him to Bishop Huntington 
as an available clergyman to work as a " diocesan evangel- 
ist." By invitation from the Bishop he visited Syracuse, 
and while the Bishop's guest for a few happy weeks " the 
best modes of conducting missions" were duly considered. 
During a session of the co7ivocation in Christ Churchy Owega^ 
the Rev. Dr. Beach, Rector, Bishop Huntington set forth 
the desirableness of the work of a diocesan evangelist. He 
requested the clergy to ask any question concerning his 
duties and his relations to the rectors. He afterward 
asked any of the clergymen present who were willing to 
aid him when holding a mission adjacent to their parishes 
to give him their names. One clergyman, who had prom- 
. ised to assist him when desired to do so, arose a second 
time, and said : " Should the Evangelist preach a sermon 
that did not interest the people they would not attend 
more of the services." " That is so," answered the Bishop, 
*' so please to remember this when you preach a sermon to 
aid him !" The Bishop's pleasant and ready answer caused 
a general smile. Another author asked: "What good 
will it do should the Evangelist hold a mission in a place 
where there is no parish nor clergyman to follow it up ?" 
The Bishop answered : *' The Evangelist cannot preach a 
single sermon in a new place which, through God's 
blessing, will not at some time bear fruit, though the 
seed sown may not at once spring up." 

Before the convocation adjourned the Bishop and clergy 
proceeded from Christ Church chapel to the church. By 
a special select service the Rev. J. W. Bonham, who knelt 
at the chancel rail, was publicly set apart by the Bishop as 
his diocesan evangelist. The service was closed by appro- 
priate prayers and by the benediction of peace. The occa- 
sion was one of great solemnity, and the service very \m* 
pressive. The evangelist received cordial greetings from 



PAROCHIAL MISSIONS IN AMERICA, 109 

the clergy of the convocation, and immediately entered 
upon his evangelistic duties. The bishop afterward said : 
" In my last address I earnestly asked of you a special 
provision for setting such an agency in operation, and 
gave reasons for the request. On the spot, and soon after, 
several laymen, whom I thank with all my heart, offered a 
liberal encouragement. In all that they have given and 
done they have been approved, I believe, and in some cases 
led by the clergy. At the autumn meeting of the Board of 
Missions a lay committee, with one member from each dis- 
trict, was appointed to collect funds. As soon as a suffi- 
cient amount had been subscribed to warrant it I appoint- 
ed an evangelist having the qualifications that were to be 
desired, the Rev. J. W. Bonham. He entered immediately 
on the service, and has continued in it, with energy and 
enthusiasm, ever since, laboring in places I have desig- 
nated." 



110 ■ THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER II. 

THE EVANGELIST COMMENCES HIS IMPORTANT WORK. 

Mission at Evans Mills — At De Ricyfer^- At Phoenix — A Church 
Service in the Baptist Church — Resolutions of the Vestry to the 
Minister and Deacotis — Mission in Calvary Churchy Homer — 
Mission near Syracicse — A Closed Methodist Revival Re- 
commenced — A Hearty Methodist Brother. 

The diocesan evangelist in Central New York held his 
first mission at Evans Mills ; as there was no Episcopal 
church, the services were held in a hall. To be at one 
of the services when Bishop Huntington was present, 
the Rev. L. H. Brewer, the Rector of St. Paul's Church, 
Watertown, secured a special car, and accompanied his 
choir and some of his parishioners to Evans Mills. Their 
presence increased the fervor of the services. The hearty 
singing and the audible responses incited one person to re- 
mark : " I did not know that it was possible to have such a 
fervent liturgical service !" But one lady to whom a 
prayer-book was offered declined to take it, saying : "/ 
can pray without a book /" Yet she sa7tg praise to God from 
hymns printed ill the " Hymnal^'' some of which were metrical 
prayers. The Rev. L. H. Brewer became deeply inter- 
ested in missions. On different occasions he rendered the 
missioner efficient assistance. In a letter to the Bishop he 
inquired : " Have we not taken several years to intro- 
duce our Church into new places by occasional services, 
when a deeper impression may be made by concentrated 



THE EVANGELIST COMMENCES HIS WORK. Ill 

services for a few weeks ?" He is now the earnest Mission- 
ary Bishop of Montana. 

At Phoenix the mission was held in the room of the 
Young Men's Christian Association. Nightly all the seats 
were occupied and the people attentive. At the close of 
one of the services ''Elder Crowell^'" the Baptist minister, 
said : " This hall will not hold the people on Sunday ; you 
can have the free use of our church." The Evangelist 
answered : " I thank you for your kind offer ; but we pre- 
fer to hold the service in the place we have rented, that 
our services may be churchly, and no one take offence." 
At the close of the service the next evening the Evangelist 
said : " Elder Crowell, my reply last night was not the 
most gracious. If you are willing that we use your 
church, have our full evening service therein, and that I 
preach a sermon on Apostolic Succession, your kind offer 
will be gladly accepted." The Evangelist thought he 
would surely reconsider his offer ; but he answered : "All 
right ; you may have the freedom you desire. I will give 
public notice of the subject you have mentioned." During 
the days that intervened the Evangelist had to work with 
all his might to have the discourse ready for delivery ; for 
he had not intended to preach on this subject in Phoenix. 
After the notice had been given one clergyman warned 
his people not to attend the service. 

The weather on Sunday evening was very unfavorable, 
but all the pews, the seats placed in the aisle, and the 
chairs in front of the rows of pews, were all occupied. In 
the responses, chants and hymns the large congregation 
fervently united. The discourse {a) showed that from the 
time of the Apostles until the fifteenth century the Church 
of Christ had been governed by bishops ; ifi) during that 
century there was a schism, and Christians were called 
after the names of their leaders, for there were no " Lu- 



112 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

therans" before Luther was born, no ** Presbyterians" he^ 
fore the birth of John Knox, who had been ordained a 
priest by the Romish Cardinal Beaton ; and no ** Congrega- 
tionaUsts" before the days of Mr. Brown and his friends, 
who did not love a church with ** bishops, priests and 
deacons;" (c) from the days of the Apostles there has 
never been a time when there were no living bishops ; and 
that in our own day the largest part of Christendom is 
under episcopal government. 

To prove that for eighteen centuries there had been no 
break in the episcopal form of polity, though some Chris- 
tians had seceded from it ; not to have his statements called 
" Episcopal postulates ;" he quoted extracts from Gibbon 
the historian and from eminent divines who are not in our 
Church, have no *' pews to rent," and therefore give disin- 
terested testimony. The Evangelist's discourse was " over 
thirty minutes," or it would have done no good to those 
who disbelieve assertion in the absence of evidence. The 
closing part of the discourse set forth that if Methodists 
were in the Episcopal Church responses would be audible ; 
if the Presbyterians^ also, they could equalize or regulate 
Methodistic fervor ; the Baptists, inside the Episcopal 
Church, could request the clergyman to " discreetly dip ' ' a 
child or an adult, in accordance with the first clause of *' the 
rubric concemi?ig baptism /' that Congregationalists could 
use their influence to restrain bishops who desire to be 
" lords over God's heritage," but who may not be feared 
because their times of yisitations to parishes resemble 
angelic visits ; and if all were united, what a volume of 
harmony would ascend to heaven from the grand Te Detun, 

" We praise Thee, O God, we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord, 
^//the earth doth worship Thee, the Father everlasting." 

The people were very attentive and appreciated the ser- 
vices. 



THE EVANGELIST COMMENCES HIS WORK. 113 

Early in the week the vestry met and passed the follow- 
ing preamble and resolutions : 

Whereas^ Many Christians are pained on account of the 
divided state of Christ's flock, and desire that His prayer 
that all believers may be " one " may soon be answered, and 
believe that union will be facilitated by the adoption of 
Evangelical Church doctrine and Primitive Church polity, 
as summarized in the Apostles' Creed, and held by a branch 
of Christ's organic universal Church, which has existed 
from the time of the holy Apostles ; 

Therefore, Resolved, That the wardens and vestrymen of 
Emmanuel Church, Phoenix, record their appreciation of 
the magnanimity of Elder Crowell in placing the Baptist 
house of worship at our disposal to facilitate true Church 
unit)'', by enabling our Church evangelist, the Rev. J. W. 
Bonham, to set forth the perpetuation of Christ's organic 
Church, with the appointed ministry and sacraments, from 
the Apostolic age until the present time, as shown by his- 
torians. 

Resolved, That a copy of the above preamble and resolu- 
tions be forwarded to the pastor and deacons of the Baptist 
Church, Phoenix, and that the same be printed in the next 
issue of the Phoenix Register. 

Signed the seventeenth day of February, in the year of 
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-three. 

J. W. BoNHAM, Evangelist, 
E. C. Fitzgerald, 
W. H. Rice, 

Wardens of Emmanuel Church. 

W. H. Rice, 

Secretary of Vestry. 

The Episcopalians in Phoenix had no church nor rector, 
and held Sundav-school and other services in the room of 



lU THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

the Young Men's Christian Association. Soon after the 
mission Bishop Huntington visited Phoenix to conduct a 
special service. The largest hall in the place, which had 
been secured for the occasion, was filled with a deeply at- 
tentive and interested audience. The bishop afterward 
asked : " Under the usual method of church work, how 
long would it take to create the interest in favor of our 
Church that the mission has awakened ?" 

A Methodist who had read the notice of a mission to be 
held in Calvary Church, Homer, said to one of the 
wardens : " So you are having a missionary meeting at 
your church." The warden answered : " The mission is a 
series of evangelistic services to promote growth in grace 
in Christians, and to preach the Gospel to the Christless. " 
The Methodist, with a look and tone of great astonish- 
ment, exclaimed : *' My soul ! the 'piscopals holding pro- 
tracted meetings !" When the mission was commenced 
the other churches were at once opened for special services. 
The different bells sounding at the same time were not a 
harmonious chime or peal, yet each practically said : 
" Come to the church in whose tower I am suspended." 
Grace Church is in a fine location ; but, through minis- 
terial changes and irregular services when without a rec- 
tor, the parish had weakened its influence and usefulness. 
At the close of another series of special services one of the 
wardens said to the Evangelist : ** We do not wish to flat- 
ter you, but if you will give up your position as diocesan 
missioner, and become our rector, we will raise for you 
$600 as your yearly salary !" He records with great 
pleasure that the people of Grace Church did all in their 
power to promote his comfort during the mission, and at 
subsequent visits. 

At a place not far distant from Syracuse notices were 



THE EVANGELIST COMMENCES HIS WORK. 115 

circulated that a mission would be held in the Episcopal 
Church, The name is withheld for the following reason : 
The Methodists had held revival services for several 
weei^s. Notice was given that the last meeting would be 
held on Saturday evening, and the church closed on 
Sunday, that the people might attend union services in a 
church in another place. In view of the fact that " a mis- 
sion was to be commenced in the Episcopal Church," some 
concluded that the revival services of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church must be recommenced. The person who had 
entertained the Evangelist objected, saying : "I have 
boarded him for several weeks, and can do so no longer." 
Another replied: '' That Church Evangelist is coming here 
to hold a mission, and our Evangelist must recommence 
the revival services in our church, if I have to pay his 
board bill/' The Methodist Episcopal Church was opened 
on Sunday, and revival services were held on successive 
week days. But this did not interfere with the mission in 
the Episcopal Church, for the services were well attended. 
Methodists who were present heartily said, ** ^;;z^/2, " 
not in the middle, but at the close of each prayer. At a 
service when the sermon set forth the historical continuity 
of Christ's appointed ministers one of the Methodist 
preachers was present to " take notes, that he may review 
the discourse," but he did not review it. The missioner 
afterward met him, and they spent nearly two hours in 
friendly Church discussion. He is a warm-hearted brother, 
and were it not for the long probation, to give those who 
desire to enter our ministry an opportunity to " keep 
cool," or " cool off," or not to act ** hurriedly/' he would 
probably consider it a great privilege to be a minister in 
the Church that Wesley labored to revive, until he obeyed 
the celestial mandate, 



116 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

" Spirit, leave thy home of clay ! 

Ling'ring dust, resign thy breath ! 
Spirit, cast thy chains away ! 

Dust, be thou dissolved in death ! 

" Thus the mighty Saviour speaks 
When the faithful Christian dies ; 
Thus the bonds of life He breaks, 
And the ransomed captive flies." 

Wesley once said : " The true Methodist is a true church- 
man ;" and some admirer of Wesley recently said : " If 
John Wesley can look down and see the successful revival 
work spreading through the Church of England, and 
reaching the Episcopal Church in America, how greatly 
he must rejoice." At the place referred to, an aged man 
who had attended the Episcopal Church for many years 
testified at a Methodist service that he had been converted 
at their revival. Because he afterward came to the mis- 
sion he was asked : " Do you think it is wise to again at- 
tend church services ?" He answered : " I do ; for my soul 
has there also received a blessing." His grown children 
belonged to our Church, and his *' testimony" that God 
had blessed him at the mission was as valid as his " testi- 
mony" respecting his conversion at the Methodist revival. 



A CLOSED CHURCH IN LOWVILLE REOPENED. 117 



CHAPTER in. 

A CLOSED CHURCH IN LOWVILLE REOPENED. 

Mission, in Trinity Church, Loivville — Difficulties Forgotten — 
The New. Rector — The Bishop Appoiitts an Assistant — Large 
Cofigregaiions — Mission in the Church of the Evangelists, Os- 
wego — The Doxology After Ser?nons — Inappropriate Hymns 
— Changed Mode of Convocation Services. 

The Lowville Journal contained the following summary 
of the ten days' mission irn Trinity Church : " The Rev. 
J. W. Bonham, Evangelist of the diocese of Central New 
York, concluded on Wednesday evening the mission he 
has been holding in Trinity Church, Lowville. These 
services were peculiarly welcome to a congregation de- 
prived for some months past of church privileges. During 
the ten days Mr. Bonham remained in this parish the at- 
tendance every evening was very gratifying, notwithstand- 
ing numerous distractions then occurring in the town. 
And while all who listened to his sermons were deeply im- 
pressed by his power of thought, his faith in the promises 
of God's all-prevailing care and love, and his eloquent ap- 
peals for the highest interests of the soul, he led the judg- 
ment captive by his research and sound logic. It is not too 
much to hope that Christian love and zeal were quickened 
in each heart by his earnest words. With full appreciation 
of his ministrations to us, we bid him God-speed in the 
work of awakening and arousing to nobler action the pow- 
ers too often lying dormant in the Church, and we believe 



118 THE CHURCH REVIVED, 

that the efficacy of missions will erelong be recognized, 
not only in this diocese, but in others as well, through the 
faithful labors of our Evangelist." 

Trinity Church had been closed for nine months, through 
parochial tl*oubles. The mission changed the current of 
thought, and past difficulties were forgotten. The clergy- 
man who officiated the Sunday after the mission had re- 
cently left the Methodists. The people were so pleased 
with his earnestness and ability that they at once invited 
him to become their rector. Soon after his acceptance 
the congregation became larger than since the beautiful 
church was consecrated. He started four missions in ad- 
jacent places. Bishop Huntington sent him a deacon to 
assist him in his zealous labors. 

An eight days mission was held in the Church of the Evan- 
gelists, Oswego. The successive services were well at- 
tended. At the closing sermons on the second Sunday 
the congregations were unusually large. The rector, ward- 
ens, vestrymen, and parishioners were gratified that the 
mission had been appreciated and awakened a deep re- 
ligious interest. The missioner was anxious to avoid 
neutralizations at the mission services in different churches, 
and that an appropriate hymn should precede and follow 
each sermon. At the close of a sermon preached in the 
Church of the Evangelists on " The Loss of the Soul," the 
choir arose to sing, 

" Praise God, from whom all blessings flow," 

but the instant the last note of the organ prelude had 
ended the mJssioner announced an appropriate hymn, and 
read all the verses, that the chorister might have time to find 
a tune. When the last line of a hymn was, '* I must for- 
ever die ;" or " the Judge will say, * I know thee not ;' " 
or, " Why will ye forever die ?" he preferred to have the 



A CLOSED CHURCH IN LOWVILLE REOPENED. 119 

" Amen" omitted. A rector who seldom selected the 
hymns said : " It makes no difference what the words are, 
if the tune is pleasing." He was told that a minister who 
was to preach his farewell sermon asked the chorister to 
select and sing an appropriate hymn the instant he closed 
it. But he looked amazed when the choir fervently sang, 

" How did our hearts rejoice 
To see the curse removed." 

An 'inappropriate hymn after a sermon diverts the mind 
and weakens the impression. A short time ago, in a church 
in New York City, the hymn before the sermon was : 

"Watchman, tell us of the night, 
What its signs of promise are !" 

The subject of the sermon was, '* The Devil Man's Malig- 
nant Adversary." At its close the choir and people sang : 

" Son of my soul, thou Saviour dear !" 

To sing the Doxology after some sermons is as inappro- 
priate as it would be to sing it at a dear friend's funeral. 

In order to make a convQcation profitable to the people 
adjacent to the church in which it was held, the following 
change was made. The missioner preached the sermon, 
after which the holy communion was celebrated. The 
following morning the convocational business was duly 
transacted. x\fter this two clergymen went together to 
hold special services in a church or hall a few miles dis- 
tant ; two went to a place in another direction, and two 
in an opposite direction. Others remained with the mis- 
sioner to aid him at the special services in the church in 
which the convocation had been held. The Rev. L. H. 
Brewer and other clergymen were much gratified by this 
useful change. They reached their homes in season for 
their regular Sunday duties, more fatigued than from 



120 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

former convocations, but had the satisfaction of knowing 
that they had accomplished more for " Christ and the 
Church." The Secretary of the First Missionary District 
of the Diocese of Central New York sent a report of the 
change to the New York Church Journal : 

" Jefferson County forms the extreme northeast corner 
of the Diocese of Central New York, and in the northeast 
angle of this county are located the villages of Antwerp, 
Evans Mills, Theresa, and Redwood. Theresa, occupying 
a central position among them, has been selected as the 
focus of an associate mission, the rector of St. James's 
Church in this village being placed in charge, and the 
Rev. Hugh Bailey (Dean) being assigned to duty as his 
assistant. 

** Within their field, the convocation of Jefferson County 
determined to hold a series of special missions during the 
last two weeks in Septetnber, the period immediately pre- 
ceding the annual visit of the Bishop. The aid of the dio- 
cesan evangelist, the Rev. J. W. Bonham, having been 
secured, the services of the mission were opened in St. 
James's Church, Theresa, on Monday evening, Septem- 
ber 22d. There were present the Rev. L. R. Brewer, of 
Watertown, President of the convocation ; the Rev. D. 
E. Willes, of Brownville ; the Rev, A. H. Ormsbee, of 
Adams ; the Rev. C. C. Adams, Rector of the Church of 
the Evangelists, in the city of Oswego ; and the Rev. J. 
W. Bonham, Evangelist, with the rector and his assist- 
ant. In the place of a sermon the Evangelist, as an intro- 
duction to the work of the mission, gave a narrative, full 
of instruction and interest, of the revival of spiritual life 
in recent years in the Church of England, and an account 
of parochial missions as conducted in Great Britain, with 
some of their remarkable and cheering results. The presi- 
dent of the convocation followed with a few words, intro- 



A CLOSED CHURCH IN LOWVILLE REOPENED. 121 

diicing the Rev. Mr. Adams, of Oswego, in whose parish 
Mr. Bonham had just been holding a mission with great 
success, as was evident from the encouraging address of 
Mr. Adams. The services having been closed with prayer 
and benediction, the clergy assembled in one of the rooms 
of the rectory school, and spent an hour in pleasant con- 
verse. Next morning the Rev. Messrs. Brewer and Orms- 
bee departed for Antwerp, to conduct the mission in that 
place. Mr. Adams also took his leave, and Mr. Bailey 
found it necessary to absent himself for a time. The 
Evangelist was left to carry on the mission in Theresa, with 
the Rev. Mr. Willes and the rector as his helpers. 

" Notice of the services had been given by means of 
printed bills, and the attendance, good from the first, so 
increased night after night that the church was filled, and 
sometimes thronged, with attentive and deeply interested 
hearers. Mr. Bonham was the preacher ; his sermons 
were for the most part addressed to the impenitent and the 
indifferent, with little or no allusion to the distinctive sys- 
tem of the Church. What was to be said of this was re- 
served for the last evening — Friday, October 3d. The 
building was crammed, and for an hour and a half the 
Evangelist held the attention of the large congregation 
with a presentation of the argument for Church unity and 
an apostolic ministry. The following evening the Evan- 
gelist was absent, and in his place appeared, on a rainy night 
but in a full church, the Bishop of the diocese, who 
preached and confirmed a class of nine. Though the mis- 
sion had probably but a slight influence as respects the 
number of the confirmed (and the rector would not, if he 
could, have gathered in its fruits thus hastily), yet it can- 
not be but that results of solid and permanent value will 
follow from an interest so manifest and yet so restrained. 
The service used was short, but selected from the Prayer- 



122 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

Book. On Wednesday and Friday the litany alone was 
said ; and on one evening the baptismal service, without 
any addition, preceded the sermon. The Church needs 
these missions, and can readily so control them as to make 
them subservient to her great end and aim ; and for their 
full success they need careful and laborious thought con- 
cerning the best mode of reaching men, which can most 
readily be secured by means of an evangelist, who gives 
his whole time to the work. 

" Yet when the parochial clergy undertake such an enter- 
prise they need not fail, as is made evident by the success 
which attended the labors of Mr. Brewer and Mr. Orms- 
bee at Antwerp during the last two weeks, and, for the 
last, of the Rev. Messrs. Drumm, of Clayton, and Perrine, 
of Cape Vincent, who, having been detained at home in 
preparation for the Bishop's visit totheir parishes on Sep- 
tember 28th and 29th, began a mission at Redwood on 
Monday evening, the 29th, holding their last service on 
Friday evening. Attendance was very good, a.nd an ad- 
mirable impression was produced. Evans Mills, having 
been the scene of the first mission after the Evangelist 
entered upon his labors last winter, was omitted from the 
schedule at this time. Within the field of the mission the 
Bishop has since confirmed twenty persons. We have taken 
hold, therefore, both of the associate mission and of the 
mission in the sense of continued special services, and hope 
to show the Church, by God's blessing, some of the results 
which both are supposed to be calculated to produce." 

At a mission not many miles from Utica the Rev. Drs. 
Van Deusen and Goodrich attended with their choirs, and 
greatly enriched the mission music. Not having access to 
his " packed away" record of the missions he held in Can- 
ada Northwest, and in other places, he is obliged to omit 
an account of some of them, and also dates. Some may 



A CLOSED CHURCH IN LOW VILLE REOPENED. 123 

regret the omission of dates ; others rejoice that no more 
missions are described. At a mission at Oneida, Moravia, 
and other places, at the commencement of the services but 
few persons were present, but before the mission closed 
extra seats were all occupied. At a place without a parish 
the mission was held in a hall. During one of the several 
services a brass band were practising in a building oppo- 
site, and would have neutralized an appropriately deliv- 
ered sermon on the text, "There Remaineth a Rest." 
" Evening Prayer" was printed on four pages. After the 
first few services the young people heartily united in say- 
ing the responses and in singing the chants. A few had 
to pause after the first sentence of the Gloria, for they 
knew not the words embraced in " etc." The Methodist 
minister, an Englishman, rejoiced that he " was not a 
learned preacher." The evangelist in a sermon said : 
" How delightful it would be if Methodists would return 
to the Church in which Wesley lived and died, remove 
' Methodist Episcopal ' from the names over their church, 
substitute ' Presbyterian Episcopal,' and use therein the 
Church of England Prayer-Book, the prayers for kings 
omitted, which Wesley prepared for the use of Methodists 
in America." Some one told this to the brother referred 
to ; he answered : *' Should he rise from the dead, and see 
Methodist ministers in a church vestment, and using 
printed prayers, what would he think of us ?" The Evan- 
gelist asked a Methodist : " Did you ever see a picture of 
John Wesley without his gown and bands ?" He answered, 
" I never did ; and will look at a picture of Wesley hold- 
ing a book to see if // is a Prayer-Book /" 

Missions were also held at Pulaski, Perryville, North- 
ville, Clayville, Dryden, Groton, Clinton, Canastota, and 
Smithboro. Lectures were delivered at convocations, and 
special sermons preached for rectors. Rectors cheerfully 



124 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

aided the Evangelist when practicable. The Rev. Dr. Van 
Deusen, of Grace Church, and the Rev. Dr. Goodrich, of 
Calvary Church, Utica, accompanied their two choirs to a 
mission several miles distant. Their hearty singing of the 
chants and hymns added greatly to the interest of the 
services. At some of the places the congregations were 
small at the mission's first services, but before the mission 
closed extra seats were provided, and all occupied. Some 
vestrymen who had predicted that but " very few persons 
would come to mission services," were gratified that their 
prophecy was not fulfilled. 



EPISCOPAL PARISH IN DE RUYTER. 125 



CHAPTER IV. 

NO EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN DE RUYTER. 

Mission in the Town Hall— -Services in the Methodist Church — 
Church Services Desired — Mission at J'ort Byron — Presby- 
terian Church Loaned for the Services — Lecture in Masonic 
Hall — Mission at Ithaca — Mission at Oxford. 

At a mission at De Ruyter, Cortlandt County, where there was 
no Episcopal church nor parish, the congregations in the 
Town Hall were so large that the Methodists kindly loaned 
the use of their church for several of the services, and also 
invited the missioner to deliver therein, at an afternoon 
service, a lecture on " John Wesley and the Church of Eng- 
land." For the closing service held in the Town Hall they 
loaned their camp-chairs, which were used by those who 
could find no other seats, and a number of Methodists were 
present at the service. 

There were but three persons in De Ruyter who were 
favorable toward " Episcopalians," two of whom were at 
a distant place on a visit. Some who attended the mission 
had never before attended " a Church service." But after 
the mission the missioner was requested to say to the 
Bishop that "if he would send them a clergyman for a 
year they would provide a place for church services, and 
after a twelvemonth continue to do so, and support him 
themselves." To introduce our Church through a mission, 
and then support a clergyman for a year or more for regu- 
lar services, would be more economical than to give an 



126 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

" occasional service," form a " feeble parish,'' and to give 
a ** stipend" from the missionary treasury for as many 
years as the children of Israel v^andered in the wilder- 
ness. 

A mission in. Port Byron was held in the Presbyterian 
church, kindly loaned for its services. The parish was 
feeble and the members few, but night after night large 
and attentive congregations were present at the services. 
At an appropriate time the Evangelist delivered lectures to 
impart instruction respecting the history of the Church. 
A physician who heard the notice of a lecture on the ** Life 
Relation of John Wesley to the Church of England," in 
which he lived and died, in order to upset what he supposed 
the lecturer would say, examined his encyclopaedia and 
works on Church history. But at the close of the lecture, 
instead of controverting its statements, he candidly stated 
that they were all in harmony with the historic facts of his 
recent investigations. As the people needed Church in- 
struction as well as Gospel exhortation, the mission was 
closed by a lecture on *' Apostolical Succession." It was 
delivered in the largest hall in the place, and though the 
snow was falling, all the seats were occupied by persons who 
desired to hear the lecture, and some stood during the 
whole service. On this subject the people need instruc- 
tion, for the phrase is as puzzling to some as the term, 
" Filioque." Some time ago a lady said : " Paul had no 
successors, for he was never married !" The day after the 
delivery of the lecture referred to a " Protestant" who 
met a " Roman Catholic" said : " So you went to hear 
the Evangelist who abuses all Christians who are not Epis- 
copalians !" The Roman Catholic said to the " Protes- 
tant," who had not heard the lecture: "Yes, I went to 
hear the Evangelist, who did not abuse or speak unkindly 
of any one, but at one part of his lecture touched up the 



EPISCOPAL PARISH IN DE RUYTER. 127 

V 01^^ just a little^ The Episcopalians at Port Byron now 
have a church building, and do not forget the kindness of 
the Presbyterians, who gave the free use of their church 
for the mission or other special services. 

The Episcopal Register^ Philadelphia, published a brief 
notice of the mission : 

" SPECIAL MISSION WORK IN CENTRAL NEW YORK. 

** Notwithstanding that the winter has fairly commenced, 
the activities of religious life continue to develop them- 
selves, in various localities, with considerabe interest. The 
Evangelist of this diocese, the Rev. J. W. Bonham, assisted 
by Rev. Messrs. Phillips and Paul, has recently concluded 
a very interesting mission at Port Byron. . . . The services 
were held in the Presbyterian church. The sermons were 
listened to by large congregations, embracing persons of 
almost all religious denominations, with marked attention ; 
deep impressions were evidently made. On Tuesday even- 
ing the Evangelist delivered a lecture on * John Wesley in 
His Relations to the Church of England.' The service 
was well attended, and very encouraging to those who are 
working for the establishment of the Church." 

I7i St. Johfi s Chui'-ch^ Ithaca^ the Rev. P. B. Morgan, 
Rector, an eight days' mission was held. The congrega- 
tions were large, and professors and students of Cornell 
University were present at the services. 

*' After the mission had closed, the Missionary Convoca- 
tion of the Sixth District of the Diocese of Central New York 
was held in the same church. Among the clergy present 
were the Rev. George McKnight, Rector of Trinity Church, 
and the Rev. Francis D. Hoskins, Rector of Grace Church, 
Elmira ; Rev. J. F. Esch, of Waverly, and the Rev. Thomas 
Randolph, of Trumansburg. On the second day of the con- 
vocation a sermon was preached on the importance of 



128 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

faithfully and earnestly preaching the Gospel ; after which 
the Holy Communion was celebrated. The remainder of 
the day was spent in the transaction of business." 

The Rector some time afterward resigned the rectorship 
and travelled as a missioner. He conducted several en- 
couraging missions, but so few of the clergy sympathized 
with his ardent expectations that he became discouraged, 
and settled as the Rector of a church in Cincinnati. Through 
a vision that the ghost of the Roman Pontiff would emerge 
from ritualistic practices, he became unduly alarmed, and 
resigned his rectorship. But he is again active in the 
Church he dearly loves, and doing a good work. He is 
now greatly rejoicing that brethren who were as much 
afraid of parochial missions as he was afraid of " ritualism" 
are now welcoming even foreign missioners, and heartily 
co-operating with them at mission services. During the 
New York Advent Mission he was absent in body, but pres- 
ent in spirit, and earnestly prayed : "O Lord, bless the 
labors of missioners and rectors." 

"We wish, in this connection, to say a word about 
the interesting and profitable week of mission work 
which closed last night at St. John's Church. It is 
remarked by every one who has attended the church in the 
past week that it has been greatly revived by the inspir- 
ing sermons and earnest labors of Mr. Bonham. A 
number have been added permanently to the confirmation 
class, and the attendance upon the services has been 
largely increased. Mr. Bonham was ably sustained by the 
Rector, Mr. Morgan, under whom we hope to see the good 
work and enthusiasm kept up." 

An eight days' mission was held in St. Paul's Church, Ox- 
ford. The Rector, the Rev. W. Ayrault, D.D., heartily 
co-operated with the Evangelist to make the mission profit- 
able. The services were well attended, and the parishion- 



EPISCOPAL PARISH IN DE RUYTER. 129 

ers and others were deeply interested. At the closing ser- 
vice of the mission the congregation was unusually large. 
After the Rector became the Chaplain of Hobart College, 
Geneva, N. Y., he was full of enthusiasm respecting what 
parochial missions will ultimately accomplish for our 
Church in America. Again and again he spoke cheering 
words to the Evangelist. The doctor has departed to the 
blissful rest of paradise ; but the Evangelist has often been 
cheered by the re-echo of his words : " Do not accept the 
rectorship of any parish, but continue to labor as an evan- 
gelist, should the time come that you may be able to hold 
a mission only occasionally. The fact that you are not a 
rector will keep the missio7t idea before our Church. The 
time will come when rectors will more fully appreciate the 
value of parochial missions." He was very enthusiastic 
himself, and spake as a true prophet. 



130 THE CHURCH REVIVED, 



CHAPTER V. 

MISSION IN ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH, UTICA. 

Serinons in Grace Church — In Calvary Church — Missions in 
Other Places — Brethren Remembered — Bishop Huntington s 
Cheering Circular. 

■■*. The Rector, the Rev. W. T. Gibson, D.D., heartily co- 
operated with the Evangelist during the eight days' mis- 
sion. Both regretted that an advertised farce, to be acted 
in the large double parlors of a parishioner, could not be 
given up or postponed. The mission was closed Sunday 
evening by a sermon on '* Gaining the World, but Losing 
the World-Gainer's Soul," and described the awful death 
of the renowned actress, Madame Rachel. On Monday 
evening a number who heard the sermon crowded the par- 
lors referred to, and witnessed the ludicrous farce, '■''Turn 
Hii7i Out'' — not the missioner. But the mission was not 
wholly neutralized. The Rector, who is editor of the Church 
Eclectic^ reported to the Church Journal 2,^ follows : 

'* Messrs. Editors : The hands of the clergy are so full, 
and their time so incessantly absorbed by parish work, that 
they can hardly ever stop to become their own chroniclers. 
I doubt if one in a hundred ever I^eeps a * diary.' Pro bono 
publico^ however, I wish to put in a word for the important 
work of the Rev. J. W. Bonham, the ' Evangelist ' of the 
diocese of Central New York. It is a kind of work which 
our diocese, I believe, has been the first to inaugurate : 



MISSION IN ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH, UTICA. 131 

Iowa and Virginia have already followed suit, and other 
dioceses are instituting inquiry into this subject. 

" Mr. Bonham has been engaged in this labor for a year 
past, and has held mission services (usually a series of eight 
days) at many points in the diocese where the Church is 
weak, in some cases where the services of the Church had 
never been held before. The}'' have almost always been 
crowded, proving that the people will come, and will 
listen, where the principles of the Church are presented in 
a clear, manly, and courteous way, and where sermons are 
preached full of Bible truth, taking hold of intellect, con- 
science, and will, all together. 

" Mr. Bonham has just concluded an eight days' mission 
in the parish of St. George's, Utica, leaving, as we are 
persuaded, permanent effects upon our religious///"^. City 
parishes often forget that they were organized for spiiHtual 
purposes at all, and degenerate into xri^r^ societies and social 
clubs, acting under the spur of worldly competitiojt. In 
nothing is this more conspicuous than in the perpetual 
round of fairs, festivals, concerts, dramatic entertainments, 
tableaux, etc., with which public ' patronage' is constantly 
besieged, a state of things exceedingly unfavorable to 
spiritual growth. It seems to me that mission services, 
thoroughly followed up, will go to the root of this evil, by 
recalling us to the great end and object of the Church 
itself, the development of personal religion in each and 
every individual. We cannot hide a corrupt private life 
under a noisy or officious zeal for the society^ or make a 
miserable party spirit pass for loyalty to the cause of Christ. 

" In the course of his mission in St. George's Mr. Bonham 
gave a lecture on ' John Wesley's Position in the Church/ 
and another on the * Great Awakening in the Church of 
England.' Both of these are repeated this week in other 
parishes of the city. The lecture on * Wesley ' ought to be 



132 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

delivered in every village and hamlet of the land. It 
would do more to obviate prejudices and conciliate the 
public mind to the Church than years of ordinary paro- 
chial labor. It is remarkable, too, how a clear definition of 
Wesley's position forms a complete answer and antidote 
to such a movement as that of Bishop Cummins, on the 
one hand, while it gives full scope to all the really catholic 
and spiritual aspirations of ritualism on the other. It is 
no mere fancy. John Wesley's evangelical standpoint is 
a good rallying-place for all who combine, with exact 
churchly order, aggressive work for souls ; who wish the 
doctrines of grace without the five points of Calvinism, 
and love glory and beauty in the sanctuary. 

** These mission services ought properly to be conducted 
by two or three mission priests, working together. It is 
impossible for one man to preach at every service, and fol- 
low it up with personal conferences and private instruc- 
tion, which are really essential in order to reap any fruits* 
from the mission. Class teaching is as necessary for an 
adult population as for Sunday-schools. 

"It is much to be hoped that Mr. Bonham's engage- 
ment may be continued another year. In commercial 
phrase, nothing would ' pay ' better for the interests of the 
diocese and the Church. G." 

The clergy and laity treated their Evangelist with great 
brotherly kindness ; those who were not enthusiastic con- 
cerning parochial missions, and did not desire at present 
to have one, placed no obstacles in his way for missions in 
other places. They cordially welcomed him to their re- 
spective parishes to deliver historical lectures or preach 
Gospel sermons, though they were on the lists of some of 
his series of mission subjects. The fraternal kindness of 
the Rev. Messrs. Lockwood, Pattison, Babcock, Clark, and 



MISSION IN ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH, UTICA. 133 

Others, then in Syracuse ; the Rev. G. P. Hebbard, in 
whose parish "a mission was held and well attended ;" 
the Rev. Drs. Van Deusen,* Goodrich, Gibson, and Coxe, 
of Utica ; the Rev. Dr. Brainerd, of Auburn ; W. Doty, of 
Watertown ; Hitchcock, of Binghamton ; and McKnight, 
of Elmira ; the Rev. Messrs. Beauchamp, of Baldwinsville ; 
Winslow, and Staunton, and Brewer, of Waterville ; the 
Rev. Robert Paul, of Port Byron ; the Rev. Messrs. Per- 
rine, of Oneida ; Gardner, of Utica ; Hubbard, of Seneca 
Falls ; the Rev. Dr. Beach, of Owego, and the Rev. Dr. 
Cross, of Mexico, where the Evangelist held two missions ; 
and other clergymen of the diocese and faithful laity, are 
remembered with great pleasure ; and the Evangelist is glad 
to here record that their fraternal kindness is " still green " 
in his memory. 

Rectors and 7nissioners have too many humiliating trials 
to be unduly ecstatic by words of encouragement. But 
between the two they may keep their equilibrium and not 
fall prostrate. After the Evangelist had labored for 
nearly a year under Bishop Huntington's very pleasant direc- 
tion he was cheered to read a circular sent to his clergy 
and others, of which the following is an extract : 

" The results are well known to have been exceedingly 
satisfactory wherever missions have been held by the 
Evangelist, whether in established parishes or on new 
ground. His labors have been everywhere efficient, accept- 
able, and useful to the people, as they have been gratifying 
to me. The clergy have uniformly testified to their value, 
and the laymen have confirmed that testimony. Visiting 
parishes where these services have been held, I have found 
increased seriousness and an improved attention to re- 
ligious duties. Rubrical and canonical regularity have been 
strictly observed. Of that sort of excitement w^hich is apt 

* He now rests from his labors and his works follow him. 



134 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

to be followed by reaction I see no trace and hear no 
sound. Of the healthy excitement which is a sign of life, 
and which befits believing men living in a world so worldly 
as this, and going fast to judgment, there is still too little, 
almost everywhere, rather than too much.'* 



''WHAT IS AN EVANGELISrr' 135 



CHAPTER VI. 

"what is an evangelist?" 

His Work of Two Kinds — The Hearer who has Weathered 
a Thousand Ordinary Sermons — The Mission Thoroughly 
Tested in England — The Best Mission the One that Lasts 
Dicring the Year — Rubrical Elasticity — New Pentecosts 
Desired. 

If the reader is not familiar with the work of an Evangel- 
ist, and the specific design of a parochial mission, extracts 
from Bishop Huntington's address to the Diocesan Con- 
vention in Trinity Church, Elmira, the Rev. G. H. Mc- 
Knight, D.D., Rector, will give the desired information. 
The Bishop said : ** You will desire me to make some report 
of a form of Church extension that has been put on trial in 
the diocese within the year, the work of an evangelist. 
In my last address I earnestly asked of you a special pro- 
vision for setting such an agency in operation, and gave 
reasons for the request. ... As soon as a sufficient 
amount had been subscribed to warrant it, I appointed 
an Evangelist . . . the Rev. J. W. Bonham. He entered 
immediately on the service, and has continued in it, with 
energy and enthusiasm, ever since, laboring in places I 
have designated. For reasons that seem to me decisive, 
he has been employed hitherto in regions comparatively 
obscure, with only three exceptions. Thus far, the testi- 
mony of our clergy who have witnessed or shared his work, 
of the congregations to which he has preached, and of the 



13G THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

communities where he has tarried, as well as of the visible 
effects he has accomplished, have had but one purport. It 
has confirmed the belief which the New Testament, together 
with the primitive and general history of the Church, had 
led many of us to entertain, that, a ministry of this char- 
acter occupies a normal place within the manifold com- 
mission to convert the world to Christ, and, in fact, in the 
ordinary conditions of society, no branch of the Apostolic 
Church is completely equipped without it. 

"An evangelist's service is of two kinds. He may go 
into a village, or the suburbs of a city, where the Church 
is almost or entirely unknown, and there, either singly or 
with the voluntary help of neighboring clergy, he may 
conduct a succession of daily meetings, made up of such 
people as proper public notices can call together in a 
building procured for the purpose. With Prayer-Book 
worship, instructions, exhortations, expositions of Church 
doctrine and discipline, the Evangelist appeals to the 
conscience and the heart. . . . Generally this movement 
contemplates either the subsequent planting of a perma- 
nent missionary station, under the cure of a neighboring 
rector, or the formation of a parish. If these results do 
not immediately follow, there cannot possibly be a failure 
of substantial good from the delivery of the Gospel mes- 
sage, together with a zealous manifestation of the methods, 
principles and spirit of our Household of Faith. Life is 
•born of such action, as surely as man and the kingdom 
keep their constitution, and God keeps His promises. 

"As another part of his business, the Evangelist goes 
within the limits of a parish already established. He can 
go there only by the voluntary invitation of the minister in 
charge. That minister reserves all his pastoral rights, and 
nothing is done or spoken in contradiction of his wishes. 
He may be supposed to feel more or less profoundly the 



''WHAT IS A.V EVANGELISTS 137 

need of every possible help he can get in achieving the ends 
of his ministry. He may feel with sadness that his people 
need to be aroused and awakened to a spiritual life which 
his single-handed efforts have never been able to kindle ; 
he may feel that he is fighting an unequal battle there 
alone against the world, the flesh, and the devil ; he may 
feel that, in the remarkable diversity of susceptibilities and 
states of men's minds, other ministrations than he has time 
or strength for, other voices than his own, or other methods, 
may possibly carry with them the blessing of the Holy 
Spirit for the supplementing and enlarging of his own 
faithful toil. Here, then, will be an occasion for what has 
become known in the Church as the ' Parochial Mission.' 

" This mission is ' a concentration of spiritual force upon 
one place for a short time.' So far is it from interfering 
with a pastor's prerogative, or abating his influence, that 
it is rather a ' regular exercise of pastoral jurisdiction, 
calling in the assistance of an extraneous power for a tem- 
porary effort.' For the time being an evangelist is a 
representative of the local minister. Bringing his own 
individuality and his own modes, everything he does is 
still tributary to the pastor's will. Indifference being the 
great obstacle, the first thing to be done is to break it up — 
that is, to arouse and fix attention. Two principles of 
human nature are laid hold of. Oneis, that in almost any 
neighborhood a succession of public services will excite 
interest. The stress of exertion laid out will tell upon the 
people in spite of themselves. If a man that is half asleep 
will not w^ake up at a single call or shake, you call or 
shake him again and again, till his waking is beyond ques- 
tion. Let the mission once publicly begin, and the people 
will do the advertising with one another in their houses, 
streets, shops, and fields. Another principle is that im- 
pressions repeated in rapid succession will sometimes effect 



138 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

a conviction of the mind, and determine the will, when 
ordinary appliances at the usual intervals will not. We 
may inquire, with Canon Fremantle, * Where is the clergy- 
man who would not welcome with thankfulness any 
agency which would, by God's blessing, kindle afresh the 
light of truth and love in the hearts of the many of his 
parishioners who live in the habitual rejection of the Word 
of Life, unbelieving and ungodly-? ' A conservative old 
English incumbent used to say : * You must have a system 
of alternatives that will introduce some variety without 
disturbing order.' Another official of the same Church 
said at the Leeds Congress, last October : ' When the 
leading farmer, or the leading squire, or the leading 
manufacturer, has sat under a thousand sermons from the 
same rector ; has sat there shielded and protected by a 
little sleep, a good deal of inattention, and a great mass of 
dogged prejudice — when he has weathered a thousand 
sermons without altering his tack or shifting a sail, it is 
very difficult, either for a squire or rector, to expect that 
the thousand and first sermon shall produce a revolution in 
his whole soul, and scatter all his prejudices to the winds.' 
The mission preacher., coming from without, not only 
brings with him his own style and manner, but he has 
sometimes a peculiar advantage in delivering his rebukes 
and warnings w4th no personal knowledge of the weak 
points and wicked points of the audience before him. The 
searching words of a stranger will often penetrate the con- 
science of a hearer with salutary power, when words 
equally pungent and equally kind from the lips of a familiar 
friend are construed into an offensive personality. The 
power of preaching, however, is not the only power of the 
mission. A double strength and a double fervor are given 
to prayer. The minister and the people are, for sometime 
beforehand, in secret as well as public supplication for 



''WHAT IS AN EVANGELIST?'' 139 

a direct spiritual gift, uniting their intercessions, asking 
for a common and yet a special good. Indeed, the in- 
crease of devotion is quite as important an element in the 
instrumentality as the multiplying of sermons. In all well- 
conducted parish missions it is arranged that there shall 
also be added opportunities for receiving sacramental 
blessings. In short, every legitimate agency that tends to 
the increase of spiritual life, or that draws the hearts of 
men nearer to the heart of Christ, is stimulated. A report 
to the Church Congress of 1872 on this subject dwells 
forcibly on the idea that a mission tends not to separation, 
but to unity, using this language : ' The parish priest 
who invites an evangelist sets before his people the fact 
that there are others widely different from himself in the 
circumstances of life, who are yet one with him in its divine 
realities ; that he is not afraid of their co-operation, or 
ashamed to seek help, because the fire with which he burns 
is the very same which enkindles them, so that the flame 
of his own ministry, flickering, it may be, in its loneliness, 
will not be lost, but be strengthened by union with that of 
others. In these days of individuality and separation it 
impresses people to see united action on the part of the 
clergy.' 

" If we needed any foreign evidences of the effective- 
ness of evangelist missions, we could find them in abun- 
dance in recent examples in Great Britain. . . . They have 
taken the various forms of Advent Missions, Lent Missions, 
Diocesan Conferences, Ten Days' Missions, Octaves, and 
the Novena, between Ascension Day and Whitsun Day. 
Bishops and archbishops of the establishment have 
thoroughly and cordially committed themselves to them, 
not only sanctioning but organizing them. ... In the 
Roman Catholic Church parochial missions have long been 
recognized as a most effective means both of propagation 



140 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

and edification. ... * There is no harm in doing an un- 
usual thing merely because it is not dune every day.' No 
doubt, as Mr. Beresford Hope remarks, ' the best of all 
missions is the mission that lasts three hundred and sixty- 
five days in a year.' But he and nearly all the speakers 
about him agreed that one of the surest roads to the 
restoration of the daily services of the Church is a judicious 
use of the parochial mission. A clergyman at the Church 
Congress in South Hampton, in 1870, testified that in hij 
own parish an increase of communicants from forty-five 
to two hundred and fifty was mainly the result of the parish 
mission. Another speaker, allowing for deficiencies and 
hazards, observes : ' The infidelity, the ignorance, the 
practical ungodliness of the times, are crying aloud for 
some fresh outcome of energy and zeal to contend with 
them. . . .' 

" I sincerely hope that by a clear and settled pathway of 
law our Church in this country will before long attain to 
views as sensible, comprehensive, and catholic as these. 
I am not possessed by the idea that in every parish among 
us the measures here indicated can be profitably employed, 
or that all rectors could work with them advantageously 
and happily. To those, if there are any such, who 
regard the present religious condition of our congregations 
as satisfactory, who feel no painful longing for new out- 
pourings of God's Spirit, and new manifestations of the 
power of the righteousness of Christ, 1 do not expect that 
they will come w'ith much weight or carry much meaning. 
But most of us, I believe, will never be satisfied, and never 
rest until, by any instruments that God's Word and Provi- 
dence and Spirit have offered to our hands, the fires and 
winds of new Pentecosts burn and blow along these frigid 
and stagnate wastes around us." . . . 



IVHY THE EVANGELIST LEFT CENTRAL NEW YORK. 141 



CHAPTER VII. 

WHY THE EVANGELIST LEFT CENTRAL NEW YORK. 

Advice of the Rev. Dr. De Koven Acted Upon — The Steamship 
City of Antwerp — A Bishop' s Cry, ^'' Save Me P' — Safe Ar^ 
rival in Liverpool — St. Peter s, Dulwich — St. Paut s Cathe- 
dral, Lojidon — Canterbury Cathedral — Canon Robertson Un- 
willing to Witness Stealing — The Retreat at Cowley — The 
Rule of Silence — The Retreat a Blessed Means of Grace — 
Letters to the Church Journal. 

The Bishop kindly desired his Evangelist to continue 
his mission labors ; suggested that hereafter missions will 
move on a higher plane or be welcomed in larger churches. 
During the year he had preached between two and three 
hundred times ; he needed a season of rest. The Bishop 
requested him to take the rest he needed after one mis- 
sion had ended before he commenced another. He needed 
a longer rest than he was willing to take while receiv- 
ing a salary. At a missionary anniversary in New York 
City the Rev. J. De Koven, D.D. , said, " You ought to go 
to London in time for the great Prelent Mission." He re- 
solved to do so, and arranged with the Rev. Dr. Matson that 
the Church J^ournal re-echo its progress to cheer church- 
men in America. With letters commendatory from the 
Bishop of Illinois and of Central New York " to the Arch- 
bishop, Bishops and Clergy of the Church of England, 
and to the faithful in Christ," to afford him facilities to 
study the phases of the London Prelent Mission and its 



142 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

modes of working, early in January he sailed from New 
York for Liverpool, in the steamer " City of Antwerp," 
commanded by Captain Lavar. He had previously 
crossed the ocean in a steamer of which seaman Lavar was 
the mate. Captain Lavar and his officers treated him 
with great kindness, and combined with the elements to 
throw summer gladness on an ocean passage in January. 
Captain Lavar a few years before had crossed the ocean in 
a steamer in which the Right Rev. C. P. Mcllvaine was a 
passenger. During a storm a heavy sea overwhelmed the 
Bishop while standing in the hatchway of the cabin saloon. 
The wave filled its entrance, and the Bishop was strug- 
gling in the water, crying : " Save me ! save me !'^ As the 
Bishop used his voice with diapason power, Mate Lavar 
heard his imploring cry, " Save me," and instantly rescued 
him. 

The Central New York Evangelist arrived in Liver- 
pool January 21st, and proceeded to London. On Sunday 
he preached in St. Peter's Church, Dulwich ; Monday, at 
4 P.M., attended the festival in St. Paul's Cathedral cele- 
brating the conversion of St. Paul. No person was ad- 
mitted without a ticket, yet the Cathedral was filled. The 
oratorio was finely rendered by distinguished soloists and 
a multitude of choristers, accompanied by the rich-toned 
organ, and various trumpets, and some instruments of in- 
describable shape. A chorister about sixty years of age in 
a clear soprano voice sang a solo ! The London fogs seem 
not to early ruin the voices of the Cathedral and Abbey 
choristers, some of whom are old men, but have rich bass 
or tenor voices. 

The London clergy were busy preparing for the P?'ele?tt 
Missiofi, and corresponding with clergymen who were ex- 
pected in London to aid the missioners. Canon Gregory^ of 
St. FauV s^ advised the author to attend the Clerical Re- 



WHY THE EVANGELIST LEFT CENTRAL NEW YORK. 143 

treat, soon to be held at Cowley, Oxford. He kindly 
wrote to Fiather Benson, the Head of the House of St. John 
the Evangelist, to send the Evangelist from America a 
personal invitation to come to the Retreat. While the 
guest of the Rev. Cation Robertson^ of Canterbury Cathedral — 
also Professor of Ecclesiastical History in King's College, 
London — the invitation, by telegram, was received. Canon 
Robertson showed him the various objects of interest in the 
Cathedral and its precincts, and his eloquent historical 
descriptions made the past present. Such visits stamp 
history deeply in the mind, and Canon Robertson's polite- 
ness will be long remembered. After the three o'clock 
service in the Cathedral we visited St. Martin's Church ; 
and, though there is nothing gorgeous in the exterior or 
interior, we entered it with feelings of unusual interest. 
This church is mentioned by the Venerable Bede, and is 
probably one of the oldest churches in the kingdom. Old 
Roman bricks are still visible in its ancient walls. On the 
occasion of Queen Bertha's marriage to King Ethelbert 
she brought from France her bishop and clerks, and herein 
they worshipped. Here the large font at which King 
Ethelbert was baptized is still preserved. Near the chancel 
is the sarcophagus supposed to be the stone coffin in which 
Queen Bertha was buried. On the floor in front of the 
chancel are ancient brass tablets set in stone, to commem- 
orate the faithful dead. Here Christians worshipped cen- 
turies before the mission of St. Augustine was contem- 
plated; and here he and his monks worshipped when he 
came to fulfil Gregory's design. The place is one of so 
much interest that it has again been repaired and refitted 
for public worship, and will long proclaim that here existed 
a branch of Chrisfs Apostolic Church centuries before a Romish 
missionary had touched British shores. 

Canon Robertson, who was a happy-looking English- 



144 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

man, was greatly pleased while showing a copy of Har- 
per s Magazine containing a personal description of " Caiion 
Robertson^ of Canterbury," but with another person's 
picture, having a thin, oval face, and cadaverous look ! 
While showing the objects of interest in the crypt of the 
Cathedral his guest saw some scattered fragments of 
stone that had been removed from damaged sculpture 
which had been " restored." ^Desiring a small relic — 
much smaller than the fragment inserted in the new All 
Saints' Church, Worcester, Mass., he said : " May I take a 
small fragment for a relic ?" The polite Canon did not 
wish to say ** No, sir," but in a melodious tone answered : 
" Mr. Bonham, I will close my eyes, and not see what is 
improper." Not desiring to break a Cathedral law, of 
course he instantly dropped the fragment referred to. 
The Canon now is with the "blessed dead," but his 
memory is revered by many. 

The American Evangelist safely arrived at Oxford, and 
was cordially received by the Rev. Father Benson. As he 
had been in America, his guest was freely talking concern- 
ing the state of American parishes. Not then aware of 
" silence " during a retreat, Father Benson, who had tem- 
porarily left some duty to receive his guest, in a kind tone 
said, " I will show" you to your cell f Had he been ar- 
rested ? Only his tongue; but his knowledge was increased. 
He learned, first, that clerical retreats are not designed for 
social entertainment or secular conversation ; for talking 
about what High and Low Church bishops sanction in 
America was not considered religious conversation. He 
learned, second, that during the celebrations meditations, 
private and united prayers, and the valuable instructions 
Father Benson daily gave, caused the mind to soar above, 
and the heart to more fervently worship, the Holy Trinity. 
He learned, third, that not to indulge in worldly conversa- 



WHY THE EVANGELIST LEFT CENTRAL NEW YORK. 145 

tion during the retreat was not a cross, but a holy pleasure. 
Churchmen who denounce retreats have the prayerful 
sympathy of those who at retreats have received great and 
lasting blessing. When the retreat ended there were 
mutual introductions and friendly greetings. After the 
clergy who had been present reached their homes they 
doubtless made it convenient to devote more time to self- 
examination and to personal private devotion. 

Concerning the great Prelent Mission a series of let- 
ters were speedily sent to the Church Journal. Important 
parts were extracted and gave *'the good tidings from 
abroad" a wider circulation. Not long ago their writer, in 
examining the index of an encyclopaedia, noticed the head- 
ing, " Parish Missions." He concluded to read the 
article, but found that the nameless paragraphs the 
reader had written. . . . The following extract is part 
'of one of his letters from London, which the editor of a 
New York church paper ventured to publish : 

" London, February 12, 1874. 

"The bishops who recommended the Prelent Mission, 
not to repeat the mistakes of thair predecessors in regard to 
the revival under Wesley and Whitefield, wisely declined to 
lay down special rules for the conduct of the missioners, 
trusting to the loyalty of the clergy to use means in 
accordance with the rules of the Church. The bishops of 
London^ Winchester and Rochestet issued a reply to a memorial 
against the approaching mission being used for the pur- 
pose of propagating " the confessional system." Different 
classes of churchmen are pleased that the bishops will 
not sanction the introduction of Nonconformist ministers 
into church pulpits during the mission, and that they will 
not sanction ' sacramental confession.' Yet they do not 
wish * to restrain the liberty necessary to make the mis- 



146 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

sion suit the different characters and needs of the various 
parishes.' As the public mind is excited, not respecting 
the cojiimission of sin, but the confession thereof, the bishops 
wisely say : ' We were, of course, aware that whenever 
the conscience is awakened, and sinners are asking what 
they must do to be saved, recourse will often be had to 
clergymen privately for their comfort and counsel, and 
that, if God grants His blessing, confession in this sense 
may be, and we hope will be, frequently the result of the 
mission ; but such confession as this — the legitimate and 
natural outpouring of a heart touched by a sense of sin 
and desirous of restoration — has little in common with, and 
is not likely, we believe, to lead to, the practice of habitual 
and " sacramental confession " taught as the remedy for 
the post-baptismal sin or the rule of a holy life." . . . 
The Church of England is lifting her voice like a trumpet, 
and showing the people their transgressions, and the House 
of Israel their sins. In her great Cathedral, surrounded by 
the devotees of Mammon, above the rumbling of the wheels 
of commerce, sounding like the ocean's roar, a clarion voice 
is sounding : ''For what is a man p'-ofited if he shall gain the 
whole worldy and lose his own soul?' And merchants who 
have left their business for an hour at noon hear of the 
perishable nature of all things earthly, and are urged to 
set their affections on things above." *** 



THE NATIONAL THANKSGIVING IN ST. PAULS. 147 



CHAPTER VIII. 

THE NATIONAL THANKSGIVING IN ST. PAUL'S, LONDON. 

Appea7'ance of the Cathedi-al — Persons who were Present — His 
Grace the Archbishop of Cdiiterbury Preaches — The Sernipn 
— A Bri f Extract — Service the Next Sunday. 

Bishop Stevens said the author would ** possibly be 
unable to obtain a ticket of admission'' after his arrival in 
London. When in Venice he wrote to Canon Gregory 
to Icindly retain a ticket for him, and he did so ; and the 
author sincerely thanked him. 

Five hours before the appointed time for service the 
favored ticket-holders began to assemble. When the seats 
in the nave, and aisles, and under the dome, and in the 
choir, and in the temporary galleries, erected tier above 
tier, were filled, the scene baffled description. If the 
reader will imagine that he has h^^n favored yN\\h. a ticket 
and has entered through the western door^ and look 
straight across the nave to the end of the apse, a distance 
of five hundred feet, he will see, in a place of honor by the 
altar, the Right Rev. Bishop of Pennsylvania^ whose presence 
gives great pleasure to the magnates present, that the 
American Church has an honored representative at this 
important service. 

In the stalls of the choirs are the canons and prebenda- 
ries of the Cathedral, and the members of convocation. On 
the rows of seats in front are the representative clergy of 
rural deaneries and of charitable bodies. In the gal- 



1 



148 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

leries above the stalls, on each side of the choir, are the 
honored friends of the dean and chapter. At the end of 
the stalls, near the line of the dome, under the new 
organs, are the two hundred and fifty celebrated choris- 
ters. The temporary galleries in the transepts, and the 
sides of the nave, and the tiers over the western en- 
trance are occupied by a brilliant assemblage. In the gal- 
leries of the north and south bays are the members of the 
Queen's household, and the one in the southeast aisle is 
occupied by members of the press. On the right and jleft 
of the western entrance are the mayors and provosts of 
the British realm. On the north and south of the mayors 
are the representatives of the army and navy, and the 
Queen's aides-de-camp. The south transept of the nave 
is occupied by members of the learned bodies, and the one 
on the north by the corporation of the city and the Metro- 
politan Board of Works. On the seats right and left of 
the aisle, across the rear of the dome, are the peers of the 
realm and members of the House of Commons. In the 
area of the dome beyond the circle are Lord-lieutenants, 
the Corps Diplomatic, and distinguished foreigners. Thir- 
teen thousand souls now await the arrival of the Royal 
Family, and the plainness of the vast Cathedral is now 
neutralized by the presence of the distinguished civil and 
ecclesiastical representatives of the nation — including 
Lieutenants and Admirals, Honorables and Right Hon- 
orables. Lords and Ladies, Viscounts and Viscountesses, 
Earls and Countesses, Marquises and Marchionesses, Peers 
and Peeresses, Dukes and Duchesses, Princes and Prin- 
cesses, Bishops and Archbishops. The black gowns and 
hoods of the clergy, the scarlet robes of the members of 
convocation, the pure white lawn of the bishops and sur- 
plices of the choristers, the dazzling insignia of the civil 
magnates of the nation, with the variegated costume of 



THE NATIONAL THANKSGIVING IN ST. FAUU S. 149 

the galaxy of ladies, present a scene of unusual brill- 
iancy. 

The last joyful strains of the national anthem performed 
on the new organ by Mr. Cooper die away. During a 
few seconds of solemn pause twenty-five thousand eyes 
are again intently gazing toward the royal pew, beholding 
in the centre the Queen of England ; on her right the 
Prince of Wales ; on the left the Princess of Wales ; on 
the right of the Prince his little son, Prince Albert Victor, 
Prince Arthur, and the Duke of Edinburgh ; and on the 
left of the Princess of Wales her younger son. Princess 
Beatrice, Prince Leopold, and the Duke of Cambridge. 
The talented choristers, selected from the Temple Church, 
Lincoln Inn, the Royal Chapels, Provincial Cathedrals, and 
Westminster Abbey, with the choir of St. Paul's, attired 
in pure white, blend in beautiful contrast with the bright 
colors of the surrounding assembly, and, as if about to as- 
cend from earth, now rise to sing the Te Deunt to the an- 
tiphonal music prepared for the occasion by Mr. Goss, 
afterward " Sir Charles Goss." As they sing, accompanied 
by rich organ strains, 

" We praise Thee, O God, 

We acknowledge Thee to be the Lord," 

the heart of the mighty congregation throbs with gratitude 
to God that, in answer to the nation's prayer, He has 
graciously saved the life of the Queen's first-born son, 
heir-apparent to the throne. 

The Versicles, Lord's Prayer, Prayers for the Queen and 
Royal Family, the General Thanksgiving, and the Special 
Thanksgiving Prayer prepared by the Archbishop of Can- 
terbury, are said by the Rev. J. H. Coward, whose rich 
and clear voice can be distinctly heard in every part of the 
vast Cathedral. At the close of the special prayers the 



} 



150 T//£ CHURCH REVIVED. 

organ sounds the. prelude to the anthem taken from Psalm 
ii8: 14, 21, and 28. The music was composed by Mr. 
Goss, and has been described as jubilant without vulgarity, 
graceful without excess of sentiment, and exactly the 
music for the occasion. 

The Archbishop of Canterbury read for his text, " Every 
one members one of another" — Rom. 12 : 5. His sermon 
was brief, comprehensive, and appropriate. 

The Archbishop in closing said : " Brethren, does not 
experience teach that nations — if such there be — which 
have no religion have lost the only sure bond and stay of 
vital life ? We Englishmen, thank God, love the Church. I 
speak not before this great assembly for any party divisions. 
It was one of the most marked features of our late anxiety 
that in the broad circuit of the British Empire many joined 
in our prayers who scarcely knew the God to whom we 
prayed ; and none were more hearty in their prayers than 
God's ancient people. We trust a time is coming when 
all the races of the Empire may be one in faith, as we have 
been proved to be one in loyalty. But already to-day, 
among us Christians, it is felt that in united prayers and 
thanksgivings we are one. God, perhaps, intended this les- 
son. It was very common in State prayers of old, as I find 
from the forms preserved at Lambeth, to speak of our 
unhappy divisions. Perhaps this common call to national 
prayer has been sent now to make us think of a happier 
union. We Englishmen, thank God, speaking generally, 
all love the Church of God. We believe in God. We 
know He watches over us in sorrow and in joy. We 
desire to make His law our rule of action. We Christians 
of England thank Him for the consolations He has pro- 
vided for us in our anxieties through the birth, death, 
ascension, and living intercession of His Son. We of the 
Church of England prize our own forms and our own 



THE NATIONAL THANKSGIVING IN ST. PAUVS. 151 

beliefs, and hold them to be best for our own souls and for 
the nation ; but, be our own form of Christian worship 
what it may, we all unite in this, that we acknowledge 
God to be our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ our 
Saviour ; and we gather now in Christ's temple to record 
our thankfulness for a great national mercy, and to ex- 
press in the most solemn way — while we pay allegiance to 
our earthly sovereign, and speak of our reverence and 
love to her person and family — that we look upward for 
her, for those who are dear to her, for ourselves, for our 
families, and for the body politic, to the King eternal, im- 
mortal, invisible, who controls all the events of our indi- 
vidual, and family, and national life. The Church of 
Christ is for all ranks, ages, races. Praise be to God in 
Christ, we all, rich and poor, have learned to be united. 
The poorest, we have said, joined with the richest lately 
in prayer. If they are not here with us to-day they are 
thanking God, as we are. Such a da}^ makes us feel truly 
that we are ' members one of another.' "'" 

The Thanksgiving Hymn, composed for the occasion by 
the Rev. Mr. Stone, was sung to the familiar tune, " Au- 
relia," for ''Jerusalem the Golden :" 

" O Thou, our souls' salvation ! 

Our Hope for earthly weal ! 
We, who in tribulation 

Did for Thy mercy kneel, 
Lift up glad hearts before Thee, 

And eyes no longer dim, 
And for Thy grace adore thee 

In eucharistic hymn. 

" Forth went the nation weeping 
With precious seed of prayer, 
Hope's awful vigil keeping 
'Mid rumors of despair ; 



152 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

Then did Thy love deliver ! 

And from Thy gracious hand 
Joy, like the southern river, 

O'erflowed the weary land. 

" Bless Thou our adoration ! 

Our gladness sanctify ! 
Make this rejoicing nation 

To Thee by joy more nigh ; 
O be this great Thanksgiving 

Throughout the land we raise 
Wrought into holier living 

In all our after days ! 

" Bless, Father., him Thou gavest 

Back to the loyal land ; 
O Saviour, him Thou savest 

Still cover with Thine hand. 
O Spirit, the Defender, 

Be his to guard and guide 
Now, in life's midday splendor, 

On to the eventide !" 

The Archbishop pronounced the benediction. The 
solemn and joyful Thanksgiving service has ended. The 
royal procession is re-forming. Ringing bells sound forth 
peals of joyfulness. Hundreds of thousands of loyal sub- 
jects enthusiastically greet the Queen and Prince of Wales 
as they pass through a new route of gayly decorated streets 
back to the Royal Palace, 

Very brief descriptions of the grand occasion filled col- 
umn after column of the largest newspapers ; while page 
after page was filled with glowing accounts of the brill- 
iant illumination of the streets of London during the 
night, decking the vast city as in a stream of light. Such 
a day and night of sober joyfulness will be- long remem> 
bered. The nation wept when the sovereign wept, when 
royal ones had been delivered from affliction rejoiced. The 



THE NATIONAL THANKSGIVING IN ST. PAUL'S. 153 

bond of sympathy between the Queen and her subjects 
will be stronger than ever. 

On the following Sunday St. Paul's Cathedral was filled 
by those anxious to hear the Thanksgiving Te Deum re- 
peated, and a special sermon preached by the Right Rev. 
the Bishop of Rochester. The liturgical service was very 
effectively rendered, and the Creed and Responses uttered 
by the thousands of persons present, led by the large 
choir, sounded like the climax of earthly worship. The 
sermon was based on i Sam. 17 : 29, and was earnestly de- 
livered. The Bishop expressed the hope that the coldness 
and carelessness that for a time characterized the render- 
ing of our service have passed away never to return. At 
the close of the service an offering was received for the 
Cathedral Decoration Fund. The Queen had subscribed 
;^iooo, and the Prince of Wales ^^500. 



154 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER IX. 

ADVENT SERMONS IN ST. PAUL's CATHEDRAL. 

The author had been a guest of a rich friend in Bedford- 
shire, but he was excused from remaining longer at that 
time, as he desired to return to London while Canon 
Liddon was " in residence." The season of Advent was 
one of unusual interest, and will be long remembered. 
Special missions were held in several churches, daily ser- 
vices in many, and sermons on Christ's Advent in glorious 
majesty preached in nearly all. The illness of the Prince 
of Wales caused the people to listen with unusual attention 
to discourses on the solemnities of the Day of Judgment, 
and the strictness of the account that each must then ren- 
der. So great was the interest to hear the series preached 
by Canon Liddon in St. Paul's Cathedral, that nearly two 
hours before the time for service people began to assemble. 
Within a few moments after the doors were opened every 
seat was taken, and when service commenced the aisles 
between the seats beneath the vast dome, a portion of the 
nave, and every standing-place within hearing distance was 
crowded. Canon Liddon sometimes preached to between 
six and seven thousand persons, who listened to his words 
with breathless attention, not venturing to cough, except 
at the intervals when he took a little water. 

THE SOCIAL AND POLITICAL FUTURE OF CHRISTIANITY. 

Canon Liddon's series of lectures to young men on this 
subject, delivered on Tuesday evenings, were also well 



ADVENT SERMONS IN ST. PAUV S CA THEDRAL. 155 

attended, and produced a deep impression. His descrip- 
tions of the conflicts and triumphs of Christianity for 
eighteen centuries were eloquent and inspiring. His allu- 
sions to the doctrines, and polity, and history of Christ's 
Church shewed that he has studied Christianity in all its 
aspects. Having traced the history of the Church, and 
the difficulties to be faced, as illustrated by the writings 
of TertuUian, St. Cyprian, St. Chrysostom, and other 
Church Fathers, Canon Liddon came down to that time 
when slavery was abolished, which he viewed as the great- 
est triumph achieved since the time of our Saviour. The 
abolition had come about by degrees. To their honor, 
the Popes had opposed slavery ; so in England had the 
Quakers ; in 1794 the French Convention abolished it in 
all French colonies. The American war brought the work 
to a conclusion, and this was the trimnph of C/iristianiiy in 
the nineteenth century. As Christianity had been from the 
first not less opposed to aggressive war than slavery, was 
it too much to hope, in view of our recent Treaty with 
America, that a time might come, even to the States of cen- 
tral Europe, when differences that were now settled by the 
sword would be settled by arbitration through the gradual 
advance of Christian principle ? The instructive and faith- 
inspiring series of lectures were closed by an eloquent ap- 
peal to all present to illustrate in their daily life the un- 
changing love of Christ. It was interesting to see the vast 
multitude of men listening with breathless attention, and 
inspiring to hear them recite the Apostles' Creed after 
each lecture, when " I Believe in God, the Father 
Almighty," resounded through the Cathedral as in a tone 
of thunder. 

The interesting course of lectures delivered by Canon 
Gregory on "Are we Better than our Fathers?" 
were published. During the month of January a course 



156 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

was delivered on " The Ethics of Buddhism and Moham- 
medanism Compared,' ' by the Right Rev. Bishop Claughton, 
Archdeacon of London. The inauguration of the Young 
Men's Weekly Soiree was held in the Chapter House, in- 
creasing their interest in the services of the Cathedral 
and in each other. 

WESTMINSTER ABBEY. 

On Innocents' Day, December 28th, the Very Rev. Dean 
Stanley preached a sermon to children. Though the day 
was rainy and the streets quite muddy, when service com- 
menced not an unoccupied seat could be found, or comfort- 
able standing-room within hearing distance. The litur- 
gical service was led by Canon Troutbeck, who has a voice 
of unsurpassed clearness and richness. Dean Stanley read 
the lessons — i Sam. 3 and St. Luke 2 : 40-52. The an- 
them was Ecclesiastes 12, verses i and 13, and the music by 
Professor Sir William Steendale Bennett, consisting of a 
duet for treble voices and full chorus. Before the sermon 
the choir and congregation sang- — 

" Jesus, meek and gentle, 
Son of God most high, 
Pitying, loving Saviour, 

Hear Thy children's cry," etc. 

Dean Stanley read as his text St. Luke 2 : 40 : ** The 
child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom ; 
and the grace of God was upon Him." Having set forth 
that Innocents' Day is historically famous in the annals of 
Westminster Abbey, for on that day, eight hundred years 
ago, it was finished by King Edward the Confessor ; and 
then explained that the Psalter and lessons had been 
selected with special reference to the children present-^ 
that the 8th Psalm showed how they might find God out in 
nature ; the 15th teaching them to be humble, pure and 



ADVENT SERMONS IN ST. PAUVS CATHEDRAL. 157 

honorable ; the 127th telling parents what gifts their chil- 
dren were to them ; the anthem putting before them the 
whole duty of man ; the hymn showing how the youngest 
'might come to Christ ; the first lesson presenting the 
child Samuel waiting for God's voice ; the second setting 
before tliem Christ in childhood — the learned Dean then 
showed that there were three noteworthy stages in Christ's 
education, each adding to His childish powers. First, He 
" grew and waxed strong in spirit." Second came wis- 
dom. Thirdly there came grace. The Dean's amplifica- 
tions and applications of the leading points referred to 
my limits exclude. In closing he urged the children to 
look up to God as their Father, and on their school-fellows 
and companions as brothers, and to look on their younger 
companions as under their protection. He showed that 
any unkindness done to a little companion, or brother or 
sister, is remembered by them for years ; whilst kindness 
from a stronger to a weaker boy is equally treasured up. 
Having mentioned that the grace of childhood grows to 
the grace of manhood, and the grace of manhood to the 
grace of age, and all into the grace of God Most High ; 
and set forth that, as the beautiful Abbey is composed of a 
number of small stones beautifully carved, every one of 
which is essential to the grace and beauty of the whole, so 
what is good and beautiful in the world is made up of the 
graces and goodnesses, not only of men and women, but of 
little children — the Dean closed by urging the children 
present, if ever tempted to do wrong, to be idle, to be 
rude, to be careless, to neglect their prayers, to be dis- 
obedient or unkind, to think of the good example of the 
Saviour which had been that day placed before them. After 
the benediction the organ pealed forth the Hallelujah 
Chorus, and slowly and silently the vast congregation 
passed out through the dim aisles and silent cloisters ; and 



158 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

it has been hinted that more than one of the grown-up 
portion, impressed by the simple words just listened to^ 
thought, perhaps, what mistakes in after-life might have 
been avoided had such been the fashion, in their golden 
age of childhood, of keeping Innocents' Day. 

Through the courtesy of Dean Stanley the author was 
invited to take tea with about one hundred and fifty guests, 
who had been invited to the capacious drawing-rooms of 
the Deanery after the services in the Cathedral. The oc- 
casion was one of great interest, and all seemed joyful. 
The Dean and his excellent wife spared no pains to make 
the guests feel at home. Before dispersing we were invited 
to visit the library. The Dean took pleasure in explaining 
its origin, and the names and ages of the busts, etc., that 
•adorned it. The Very Rev. Dean and Lady Augusta 
Stanley now rest in Paradise. 



A BRIEF VISIT TO THE CONTINENT OF EUROPE. 159 



CHAPTER X. 

A BRIEF VISIT TO THE CONTINENT OF EUROPE. 

"'Sunny Italy'' — St. Peter's^ Rome — The Coliseum — The 
Ainerica7i Church — Naples and Vesuvius — Pompeii and Her- 
cula7ieum — Venice — Florence —Bishop Stevens's Visit Appre- 
ciated — The Bishop and Mrs. Stevens in Paris — A Pleasant 
Interview. 

Soon after the last of the able series of Advent sermons 
preached by Canon Liddon the author visited some of 
the cities of the continent of Europe. In the American 
Episcopal Chapel, Rome, he assisted the Rev. Dr. Nevins ; 
visited the Coliseum by daylight and by moonlight ; also 
St. Peter's, and other churches and picture-galleries, and 
the principal places of interest. He next visited Naples, \ 

" The garden of the world, the home 
Of all Art yields, and Nature can decree !" 

In Naples^ from the lofty castle Saint Elmo, he obtained a 
fascinating panoramic view of its world-renowned bay, 
with its promontories and islands and adjacent villages, as 
well as of its crowded streets, and palaces, and churches, 
and the numerous dwellings built on the natural slopes 
which rise amphitheatre-like from the sea. In the Cathe- 
dral he saw the chapel dedicated to St. Januarius, of Bene- 
vento, said to have been exposed to the lions in the am- 
phitheatre of Porsuli by order of Diocletian^ but as they 



160 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

crouched submissively at his feet he was afterward be- 
headed. The chapel has eight altars, forty-two columns, 
costly gold and marble decorations, and several oil paint- 
ings and frescoes. The silver bust of the saint is in the 
sacristy ; and two vessels preserved in the tabernacle of 
the high altar are said to contain his blood. But as it 
was not on the first Sunday in May^ nor September 19th, 
nor December i6th, he did not see the blood liquefy ! 
Though high mass was being celebrated, some one in the 
cathedral picked a friend's poclcet, and as on our way 
out we saw men confessing he hoped that the thief was 
one of the number. 

STREET LIFE IN NAPLES 

is amusing and repulsive, and luxury and want, gorgeous- 
ness and wretchedness, beauty and deformity, strangely 
meet in most striking contrast. On the author's way to 
Portisi, for a distance of several miles he witnessed a 
motley scene, and saw horses and bullocks yoked together 
drawing vehicles, men guiding horses and donkeys laden 
with vegetables by holding their tails, women cooking in 
front of their dwellings, men roasting chestnuts, workmen 
drying macaroni, women using flat stones for washboards, 
some sewing, some spinning, some holding babies dressed 
like mummies to keep their feet warm, some combing each 
other's hair, peddlers shouting their cheap wares, while 
soldiers and sailors, priests and friars, venders and pur- 
chasers, street musicians and dancers, and dirty men, 
ragged women, and half-naked children move lazily on- 
ward, or elbow and jostle each other to obtain a good 
view of any striking sight or any street fray. 

The motley crowd described presents the extreme coun- 
terpart of what may be seen in the Villa Reale, or Royal 
Gardens, where multitudes in gorgeous attire, in costly 



A BRIEF VISIT TO THE CONTINENT OF EUROPE. 161 

equipage follow the line of palatial residences of the Chidia 
and excite the admiration of the multitudes who prome- 
nade the broad avenue of the garden with its beautiful 
plants, and flowers, and trees, and marble seats, and costly 
statuary. Leaving behind the wretchedness and gorgeous- 
ness of life in Naples, he reached 

THE CITY OF THE DEAD 

— Pompeii — and visited the temples and palaces and villas 
and houses and shops whose occupants eighteen centuries 
since were suddenly overwhelmed in a death shower of 
ashes. In the museum on the spot he saw a skeleton, a 
petrified body in an attitude of agony, and several other 
unsightly relics. In the museum at Naples he saw the 
skull and arm of a woman found in the house of Diomede, 
the marriage ring and jewels of his wife, thp stocks in 
which the skeletons of the prisoners were found, the 
pigments of the painter, the instruments of the surgeon, 
the measures of the wine-seller, the dice of the gambler, 
loaves of bread found in the baker's oven, cooking 
utensils, musical instruments, mosaics, bronzes, coins, 
pictures, articles for domestic use, and casts that give the 
attitude and dress of the people when mothers in agony 
grasped their children, and children groped for their 
parents, and wives clung to their husbands, and masters 
and servants perished suddenly together. On the road back 
to Naples he visited 

HERCULANEUM. 

Preceded by a guide, he passed through long and gloomy 
passages till he reached the theatre, and saw its auditorium, 
and orchestra, and entered its green-room, and stood on its 
stage. As the excavations are all underground, and the 
thick mass of lava in which the city is buried is almost 
hard as flint, the disinterment of Herculaneum is a slow 



162 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

and laborious work. Solemn were our thoughts as we 
wandered through the gloomy passages already cut through 
the solid lava and saw the dark cerements of death. 

To see the crater from which the lava poured that buried 
multitudes in burning, graves, the author resolved to ascend 

MOUNT VESUVIUS. 

At Resina he secured a guide, and after a fatiguing walk 
over rugged roads, sides of vineyards, and a desolate wil- 
derness of lava of every conceivable shape, he reached the 
base of the cone, and by the aid of a heavy stick climbed 
to the top of Vesuvius. During the ascent he heard the 
internal rumblings resembling imprisoned thunders roar- 
ing to escape, also the crashings of falling portions of the 
summit, and saw pieces of expelled burning scoria rolling 
down the sides of the fiery mountain. Much exhausted he 
reached the summit, and saw the yawning mouth from 
which the stream of lava flowed that immersed Hercu- 
laneum, and the death shower of ashes were blown that 
buried Pompeii from sight for seventeen centuries. 

" Long had those fires of heJl 

Peacefully slumbered ; 
Men lived, and toiled, and loved. 

Years none had numbered. 
Now the dread doom came on, 

Sent without warning : 
Sunk in the night of death, . 

Where was their morning ?" 

Before leaving Naples for Rome he visited Puteoli, 
now called Pussoli — the place where St. Paul landed 
when* a prisoner on his way to Rome to appeal unto 
Caesar. The ruins of the Temple of Serapis, and the 
mineral springs called into existence by the last volcanic 
eruption are also objects of historic interest. 



A BRIEF VISIT TO THE CONTINENT OF EUROPE. 163 



THE AMERICAN CHURCH IN FLORENCE. 

When in Florence the author visited the ecclesiastical and 
art attractions of this important city. The services of our 
Church are held in an old chapel, which was once part of 
the adjacent Roman Catholic Church. Though for forty 
years it had been used as a warehouse for timber and old 
iron, and when secured for our services was a picture of 
desolation, with its orchestra walled off for a bedroom, its 
pavement and ceiling in ruins, and the plastering of the 
walls and pilasters destroyed, it is now a comfortable place 
for worship. What was dilapidated has been simply but 
attractively restored. Its lofty vaulted ceiling has been 
tinted a light blue, and its walls and stuccoed ornaments 
in light gray and fawm colors. In the rear of the church is 
the old raised chancel, with a fine window, and, outside the 
church, the new sacristy built by the rector, who has also 
paid for the whole of the restorations. During nine 
months of the year, since the congregation was Organ- 
ized, services have never been once intermitted. Though 
the amount of income has never quite reached one 
thousand dollars per annum, out of which rent and other 
incidental expenses have to be paid, the rector has con- 
tinued to labor with great patience and perseverance. By 
special request of the rector the author officiated once be- 
fore leaving Florence, and, though the weather was threat- 
ening, and the Italian carnival at its height, and no notice 
had been given that a stranger would preach, the congrega- 
tion nearly filled the chapel. After the service one of 
" Job's comforters " said to the preacher : " Yoic cajinot begin 
to pi^each like the priest whom I heard in one of the Roman 
Catholic churches in the city of Rome ^ He did not under- 
stand the language, but admired the eloquent priest's 
earnest and graceful gestures. 



164 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



THE VISIT OF BISHOP STEVENS 

gave very great satisfaction to the congregation and en- 
couragement to the rector. His eloquent sermons over- 
flowed with the Christian love that the hearers were 
entreated to manifest in their daily life and conversation. 
When the Bishop administered the Holy Co/nmunion up- 
ward of seventy persons approached the Holy Table. At a 
service in the Episcopal Church in Paris, the Rector 
alluded to the profitable ministrations of the Bishop of 
Pennsylvania. As he had not left the city the author had 
a very pleasant interview with the Bishop and his excellent 
wife : and as he had labored in his diocese for over five 
years, to talk of '* home, sweet home" was mutually 
agreeable. 



THE P RELENT CLERICAL RETREAT AT COWLEY. 165 



CHAPTER Xr. 

THE PRELENT CLERICAL RETREAT AT COWLEY. 

The Rev. Father Benson — The Various Services — The Good 
Results — Consecration of the Bishop-Elect — -Services in Oxford 
Churches — The Clerical Retreat iti St. PaiiV s Cathedral, 

The Missioners' Retreat commenced at the Mission 
House of St. John the Evangelist, Cowley, Oxford, January 
26th, and closed on the 31st. The majority of the " re- 
treatants " were missioners or evangelists who intended to 
participate in the London Prelent Mission. Realizing the 
importance of the great work before them, the}'- met in re- 
treat for retirement and devotion, that the soul might reach 
a higher level, and be brought into closer communion with 
God. To further this object ten special services were 
held in the chapel dail3^ To prevent diversion of mind, 
at each meal a portion of Scripture was read, and no one 
was expected to engage in conversation until the " re- 
treat " closed. 

In connection with the exercises in the chapel, able ad- 
dresses were delivered by the Rev. Father Benson, M.A., 
on the following topics : " Preparation for the Mission ;" 
"The Special Call of God to Mission Work;" "The 
Necessity of Earnest and Confiding Prayer ;" " The Reve- 
lation of Christ to the Preacher's Own Soul the Founda- 
tion of Successful Mission Labors;" "The Ministry of 
the Holy Ghost ;" " The Sinfulness of Man as Revealed 
to Us, in Contrast, by the Holy Life of Jesus ;" " On 



166 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

Preaching — it is the Message of God ;" " Detachment of 
Life for the Work;" '* Confidence that God will Bless It;" 
" The Dying Condition of the People to whom we 
Preach ;" " The Nature of Man, whose Salvation is the 
Object of the Mission ;" " The Mission a War against the 
Hosts of Satan ;" " The Virtues of the Intellect for Suc- 
cessful Labor are Given by the Holy Ghost ;" " Our 
Bodily Deportment should Befit the Work we have on 
Hand ;" " The Power of Christ must Surround us in All We 
Do ;" " The Moral Virtues, including Prudence, Justice, 
Fortitude, Temperance, Faith, Love, are Made Efficient 
by the Power of the Holy Ghost." 

The addresses were well calculated to facilitate the object 
of the retreat — viz., to incite to a more perfect walk with. 
God and a higher order of personal holiness. It is vain 
for us to stand on the outside of this Divine life and say to 
others, " Go in." We must go forth to our work in all 
the supernatural power of the Divine love, and what we 
have seen and heard ourselves, that we must declare unto 
others. Through the daily prayers, and holy meditations, 
and profitable addresses, devotion was deepened and zeal 
enkindled. A holy quiet reigned, and it was good to be 
there. As the worldliness of the age and cares of life 
combine to destroy spirituality of mind, and the eye of faith 
grows dim and heaven seems far distant, an occasional 
week spent in holy retreat would answer the prayer, 

" Nearer, my God, to Thee, 
Nearer to TJiee T' 

Both clergy and laity need special seasons for self-examina- 
tion and holy meditation, that secularization of spirit may 
be neutralized and the spirit soar in a higher realm — 

" The world excluded, every passion hushed, 
And opened a calm intercourse with heaven. 



THE PRE LENT CLERICAL RETREAT AT COWLEY. 167 

Here the soul sits in council, ponders past, 
Predestines future action ; sees, not feels 
Tumultuous life, and reasons with the storm ; 
All her lies answers, and thinks down her charms." 

The Bishop-elect of Gibraltar was present at the " re- 
treat," and on Septuagesima Sunday, February ist, the 
author attended service at 

CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL, OXFORD, 

to witness his consecration. At five minutes before the 
appointed time for service the Dean and canons met the 
Archbishop of Canterbury and the bishops in the Cathe- 
dral hall. The procession formed as follows : Choristers, 
two and two ; Lay-Clerks, two and two ; Chaplains, two 
and two ; Canon's Verger ; the Dean ; the Proctor and 
Registrar ; the Bishop-elect ; the Vicar-General ; the 
Bishop's Assistant ; Apparitor ; General and Secretar}?- ; 
the Archbishop of Canterbury ; Chaplains of the Arch- 
bishop. The Archbishop proceeded to the north side of 
the Floly Table, the Bishop's assistants to places appointed 
on the south side, and the Bishop-elect to a place on the 
north. 

Morning Prayer having been said at an earlier service, 
the Communion service was begun by the Archbishop. 
One Bishop-Assistant read the Gospel and another the 
Epistle. At the close of the Nicene Creed the Rev. Dr. 
Liddell, the Dean of the Cathedral, was conducted to the 
pulpit by his verger. The Dean preached an able sermon 
appropriate to the occasion, and containing points of his- 
torical interest that the limits of this book exclude. The 
Dean set forth the judicious instructions of Gregory to 
Augustine as in striking contrast with the arrogant claims 
and attitude of the present representative of Papal infalli- 
bility, and considered it a good omen that a bishop of the 
Anglican Church is now needed in Madagascar. 



1 



168 TBE CHURCH REVIVED. 

After the sermon the Cauon's verger conducted the 
Bishop-elect to the vaulted chamber, where he put on his 
rochet. During his absence the choir sang Mendelssohn's 
anthem, '' Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall 
sustain thee." At the conclusion the Bishop-elect re- 
turned to the west end of the choir, where he was met by 
the presenting bishop, and led to the foot of the altar 
steps. The Archbishop, sitting in his chair in front of the 
Holy Table, commenced the consecration service. The 
litany was melodiously chanted at the Faldstool. When 
the Archbishop had finished the questions the Bishop- 
elect retired to put on his Episcopal robes. During his 
absence the hymn was sung, 

" Rejoice, to-day, with one accord, 
Sing out with exultation," etc. 

At the conclusion of the consecration the newly-conse- 
crated Bishop took his place beside the other bishops. 
The brilliant attire of the Archbishop and bishops, and 
Doctors in Divinity, and the long double lines of surpliced 
choristers and undergraduates, made the scene imposing. 
In the afternoon the author attended a children's service 
in St. Barnabas' Church, The children sang heartily, and 
seemed well instructed in the Church Catechism. In the 
evening he attended service at St. Paul's Church, which 
was crowded by those anxious to hear a sermon by the 
Rev. R. M. Benson, M.A., on " The Death of the Believer : 
His Consciousness in the Intermediate State, and his Glori- 
fication when Christ shall Come in Glor3\" The sermon 
was earnest and eloquent, the whole service interesting, 
and the singing thrilling. The mandate was obeyed — 

*' Let the people praise Thee, O God, 
Yea, let all the people praise Thee !" 



THE PRE LENT CLERICAL RETREAT AT COWLEY. 169 

After the service he met the preacher, and the vicars 
and curates of St. Barnabas' and St. Paul's, at the resi- 
dence of Mrs. Coomb, the widow of the late manager of 
the University Press, the purchaser of the original paint- 
ing, " Christ Knocking at the Door," by Hunt, and who 
erected St. Barnabas' Church at his own expense. His 
widow is a devoted Christian, and spends much time among 
the poor, going about doing good. She had been reading 
with much interest a recently published work on the 
" Nashotah Mission," in Wisconsin, and it is hoped she 
may be led to give financial aid to that important institu- 
tion. 

The day preceding the great mission is spent as a day of 
special devotion for the clergy in St. Paul's Cathedral. 
Beneath the vast dome are those who differ respecting the 
length, and shape, and color of clerical vestments, and the 
degree of outward reverence befitting the sanctuary, and 
who hold various shades of opinion concerning doctrine 
and polity — those who wear surplices and those who pre- 
fer gowns — those who offer their devotions facing the 
chancel, and those who pray with their backs thereto, 
facing the Cathedral's western door — those who bow only 
in the Creed, and those who bow also at the Gloria — those 
who say aymen, and those who say awmen. But they 
have not now assembled to be militant against each other, 
nor to quarrel respecting costume, nor to discuss " the 
Eastern position," nor to regulate " genuflexions," nor to 
determine whether one part of the sanctuary is holier than 
another part, and the holy pronunciation of Amen. 

Knowing that during past contentions infidels have 
made numerous converts from the masses who are too 
ignorant to determine theological subtleties — too ignorant 
to decide what color, and tone, and attitude God is most 
pleased with— for once those assembled form a phalanx 



170 THE CHURCH REVIVED, 

against the hosts of darkness, to assault the strongholds of 
their common enemy, and to pray for the descent of the 
Holy Ghost, that the fruits of the Spirit may bring what 
is out of balance into holy equilibrium. 

During this day of clerical devotion there were two cel- 
ebrations of the Holy Communion, full Morning and Even- 
ing Prayers, and between the two full services five ad- 
dresses were made by clergymen of different schools, and 
between each address there was a season for holy medita- 
tion and silent prayer. It was confessed that until quite 
recently no one would have regarded St. Paul's Cathedral 
as in the least likely to be chosen for a clerical retreat, nor 
that a day would so soon arrive which should see such a 
body of the clergy of all schools in the Church of England 
kneeling side by side in rapt and silent devotion, implor- 
ing God to prepare them by His Holy Spirit to seek and 
save the lost. 

While outside the Cathedral the wheels of commerce 
rumbled, so intense was the devotion that Mammon's roar 
without did not disturb the holy calm within. The pray- 
ers, the earnest and practical addresses, the soul-moving 
praise, and the solemn intervals of silence, will be long 
remembered by the privileged ones who were present. 

A similar service was also held in the chapel of Kings 
College, London, to offer united fervent prayers for a 
special outpouring of the Holy Spirit ; for the quickening 
of the love of God in their own hearts and in those of their 
people ; for a deeper sense of the worth of souls ; for more 
earnestness and self-denial in their efforts to win them for 
Christ ; and for a great gathering into the true fold of mul- 
titudes now wandering in the broad road to death. About 
fifteen hundred clergymen of the Church of England assem- 
bled at the devotional services at the places mentioned, at the 
time appointed, and the addresses delivered thrill with life. 



THE P RELENT CLERICAL RETREAT AT COWLEY, 171 

The Bishop of London set forth that the experience of the 
last three years has shown that special mission services, 
held under varied circumstances, in harmony with our 
parochial system, have been greatly blessed of God in 
bringing within the fold lost ones whom Christ died to 
save, and blessed also in quickening the spiritual life of 
the faithful. The Bishop of Winchester depicted the power 
of Christian love in finding its way where all else had 
failed. But how little this had been tried. We tried police 
courts, jails and penitentiaries, but how little the true light 
of Christian love penetrated into the hearts of the poor. 
The Bishop of Rochester showed that definiteness should char- 
acterize the mission sermons, and that the preacher should 
make the hearer feel as David felt when Nathan said, 
** Thoic art the man !" The Bishop set forth that Jesus 
Christ Himself was the first and true missionary, and that 
the mission of the clergy is to allure men to Him who said : 
" If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink." 
May the contemplated mission be instrumental in saving 
multitudes from " the bitter pangs of the second death." 



172 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER XII. 

THE LONDON PRELENT MISSION COMMENCED. 

Services in St. Paul' s Cathedral — The Mission in Westminster 
Abbey — Prominent Missioners — The Archbishop of York — 
Melville Pym — Earl Mulgrave — George Bodington — George 
Body— W. H, Aitken. 

The day after the retreat, beneath a bright sky, the 
great mission of the age was commenced, and the largest 
churches were crowded. In St. Paul's Cathedral, one of 
the mission's great centres, at the noonday services the 
Rev. Canon Barry, who was then Master of King's College, 
preached on " The Value of the Soul ;" " Thirst for 
God ;" ** Conviction by the Holy Ghost of Sin, Righteous- 
ness and Judgment ;" " The Victory of Faith." And 
at the successive evening services the Rev. Dr. Butler, of 
Wantage, preached on the " Fulfilment of God's Will the 
True Object of Life ;" " Sin the Hindrance to the Fulfil- 
ment of God's Will, and therefore the Great Evil ;" 
" Repentance ;" " Forgiveness of Sin ;" " Christ the 
Portion of His People Here," and a sermon on " Heaven." 

While outside the cathedral Mammon is worshipped, 
and the rumblings of the w^heels of commerce cause a vibra- 
tion resembling distant thunder, within the sacred walls 
are those willing to listen to the claims of God, and to be 
brought face to face with their inner selves, and reiterate 
the inspired question, " What is a man profited if he shall 
gain the whole world and lose his own soul ?" 



THE LONDON PRELENT MISSION COMMENCED. 173 

Another mission centre is the mausoleum of the distin- 
guished dead — Westminster Abbey. Distinguished preach- 
ers attract large audiences and secure devout attention. 
How devotional their appearance ! How solemnizing the 
service ! How soul-moving the praise ! How practical the 
sermons ! During mission week important subjects were 
ably set forth. The Bishop of Exeter preached on " The 
Value of Truth ;" Rev. Dr. Farrar on " The Ten Com- 
mandments ;" Rev. Dr. Vaughan on " The Solidity of 
True Religion ;" the Bishop of Manchester on " The True 
Notes of the Kingdom of God ;" the Bishop of Ely on the 
" Law of Temptation ;" and Rev. Dr. Butler on " Idolatry 
as Denounced by the Prophets, and as Still Prevalent 
Among Ourselves" — setting forth in detail the idolatry of 
wealth, of beauty, of art, and of superstition. 

PROMINENT MISSIONERS. 

The Archbishop of York is, mentally and ph)^sically, one 
of nature's noblemen. He is over six feet in height, and 
has a gracefully formed body. His countenance combines 
geniality with dignity. When arrayed in his con vocational 
robes, and he precedes his clergy to the place in York Min- 
ster in which they assemble, his fine form and majestic 
bearing are very impressive. His voice is rich and flexible, 
and of a good vocal range ; and his oratory is effective, 
because he has cultivated his own natural voice, instead of 
imitating the voice of some dramatic elocutionist. He 
possesses great executive ability and practical common 
sense. 

His Grace the Archbishop is a zealous evangelist, and 
preaches in sail-lofts, machine-shops, and factories, where 
are no chancels, choristers, organs, or rich memorial win- 
dows — as well as in cathedrals, abbeys, and parish 
churches. Having a vigorous constitution and great 



174 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

power of endurance, he sometimes preaches twenty ser- 
mons in a single week. At the London Prelent Mission 
he was one of the missioners at St. Pancras' Church, Euston 
Road. The author heard his inaugural ** Mission Ser- 
mon," based on Ezek. 28 : 2. He set forth God's judg- 
ment upon Tyrus for trusting in its own riches instead of 
in the Lord Jehovah. Faithfully he depicts the corre- 
sponding guilt of London ; shows that to set the mind on 
wealth makes a man a fossil, and changes his heart to 
stone ; and deprecates the folly of a man about to traverse 
the gloomy spaces of eternity, boasting, " My country, like 
Tyrus, is great, rich, free ! What doors of enjoyment are 
open to its citizens ! For them what fountains of knowl- 
edge flow !" Before the things of earth shall pall upon 
the senses, and the capacity to enjoy them shall depart, 
the Archbishop urges all to set their affection on imperish- 
able treasures, and to avail themselves of the privileges 
of the mission, which to some may be God's last call of 
mercy. The body of the capacious church and its galleries 
and entrances were crowded, but though many stood during 
the sermon, so impressive was the archbishop's sermon 
that none showed signs of weariness. 

At St. Mary s Churchy Islington, the parish church of a 
vast population, the missioner was the Rev. Melville Py7n. 
We dined with the vicar, the Rev. Daniel Wilson, a son of 
the deceased Bishop of Calcutta. The vicar was too feeble 
to accompany us to the church, but we left him in season 
to be at the prayer-meeting held in the vestry-room be- 
fore the commencement of the evening mission service. 
The missioner's subject was, " Christ Weeping Over Jeru- 
salem," and his sermon was earnest and practical. He 
believes, with the great preachers of mediaeval and post- 
mediaeval times, that while in the fabric of a sermon argu- 
ments are the pillars, similitudes are the windows through 



THE LONDON PRELENT MISSION COMMENCED. 175 



which the light enters. He makes a free use of illustra- 
tions, and relates with force incidents connected with his 
own ministry. 

On one occasion he related, that at a prayer-meeting in a 
drawing-room, he asked a person : " How long since you 
found peace ?" Receiving the answer, '* I have not found 
peace," he took him aside and read to him the third chap- 
ter of the Gospel of St. John, and set before him the great- 
ness of God's love, and the privilege of each who believes 
the record. Believing that God had given to him eternal 
life, and. that this life is in His Son, the man exclaimed : 
" Glory be to God ! I have found peace now I" 

To set forth the dangers of delay, and incite the unsaved, 
to accept Christ now^ this earnest evangelist alludes to a 
man who, at a mission service, turned to leave with the 
majority, and twice hesitated and turned back. When 
urged by the evangelist to stay, the man said : '* No, not 
now ; ril come to-morrow.'' The next day a messenger 
came in haste, bearing the sad tidings that a man had 
been crushed by a mass of falling stone. This was the 
man who on the previous evening said : " No, not now ; 
/'// come to-morrow !' ' 

After the instruction, the missioner and lay workers go 
from pew to pew to converse with any who have resolved 
to seek the Lord to-day. Devoted young men quietly 
converse with those who have remained, and inform the 
evangelist of their spiritual condition. One enters a pew, 
and politely says to the author : " I hope, sir, that you are 
converted ?" As he sat with those who remained for the 
privilege of the after-meeting, the young man only did his 
duty, and he admired his faithfulness. One of the most 
useful evangelists in England is a clergyman who was saved 
himself at a mission service. The workers, concluding 
there may be other clergymen in a similar spiritual con- 



176 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

dition, when they see one with the inquirers, speak to him. 
A white necktie is no certain sign that the wearer is 
clothed in the white robe of the Saviour's righteousness. 

The missioners at St. Peter' s Church., Eaton Square., are an 
earl of the realm, the Rev. Missioner Mulgrave, who took 
charge of the daily afternoon services, and the Rev. 
George Bodington, who preached the mission sermon each 
evening. A brief description of one service will give an 
idea of the others. All the pews below and in the long 
and deep galleries are filled, and hundreds are in the aisles 
and entrances. Missioner Bodington, who has a com- 
manding presence and a rich, sonorous voice, preaches a 
sermon on " Esau Selling his Birthright," and earnestly 
sets forth the great soul-blessings that sinners exchange 
for perishing trifles. At the close of the sermon he re- 
quests all to kneel and spend a season in solemn medita- 
tion. Before the after-meeting a hymn is sung, at the 
close of which all who desire to leave the church depart. 

A very large number remain for the after-meeting. Some 
retire for coversation with the missioner in the vestry- 
room. During their absence the vicar, the Rev. G. H. 
Wilkinson, now Bishop of Truro, Cornwall, gives the in- 
struction. How earnestly he pleads with the unsaved to 
heed this mission call of mercy ! What fervor in his utten 
ances, and pathos in his tones ! Loving the Saviour, ha 
desires others to love Him also. Simply and tenderly he 
points the unsaved to the Lamb of God, who bore away 
the sins of the world, and urges them to accept salvation. 

After a solemn pause for silent prayer the workers 
quietly go from pew to pew, to receive the names of per- 
sons who desire to see the vicar or the missioners. For 
when the conscience is awakened, and sinners are asking : 
** What must I do to be saved ?" many desire private spir- 
itual advice. Missioners are sometimes visited by Chris- 



THE LONDON PRELENT MISSION COMMENCED. 177 

tians who have lost their first love, and grown cold in the 
service of Christ, and who long to be revived ; by the 
formalist, who is convinced that he lacks true spiritual life ; 
by true penitents, who are anxious to see more clearly the 
way of life, that they may walk therein ; and by awakened 
souls, who need the evidence from the Word of God that 
there is eternal life in Christ for them. Truth, clear as 
noonday to the preacher, may be dark as midnight to a 
hearer. Personal conversation will often remove this dark- 
ness, and the penitent inquirer will say : " I now see the 
truth as the truth is in Jesus," and at once trust in Christ 
and rejoice. Missioners Mulgrave and Bodington and 
the Vicar were aware of this, and were willing to help peo- 
ple publicly or privately. Rich and poor were faithfully 
instructed. One afternoon the author looked into the 
church at a special service, and saw five hundred of the 
servant girls in this fashionable region who had assem- 
bled to hear the Gospel on a week-day afternoon. Earl Mul- 
grave was quiet in manner, but his sermons were effective. 
The Rev. George Body., who was the missioner at St. Au- 
gustine's Church, Kilburn, does not attract by his personal 
appearance, but is an efficient mission preacher. He stood 
on the upper step of the chancel, announced his text, ex- 
plained its import, and gradually increased in fluency and 
fervor. He believes in the sacraments with all his heart, 
and implores the regenerate not to neglect the holy com- 
munion. But he also as earnestly implores the unregener- 
ate and unconverted to believe and obey the Gospel, that 
they also may receive the sacramental benediction. With 
all the ardor of his soul he beseeches his sin-bound hearers 
to accept the soul-liberty that is in Christ Jesus, who is 
strong to deliver and mighty to save. As there is no rest in 
the hill of legality, he implores the unsaved to take refuge 
in the Atonement, and to escape to the hill of Calvary, 



L 



178 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

and yield intellect, heart and will to God's voice of love. 
Believing that God pardoneth and absolveth all those 
who truly repent and unfeignedly believe his holy Gospel, 
and that it is the privilege of forgiven souls to know that they 
are pardoned, and to be assured of God's grace and favor, 
and to be conscious that they experience " the peace of 
God which passeth all understanding" — while the preacher 
does not set forth assurance of forgiveness, or conscious- 
ness of pardon as essential to salvation, he teacties that 
this is essential to true soul serenity. Enjoying himself the 
benediction of peace, he says : " When I embraced the 
Saviour He drowned all my sins in the Red Sea of His 
love ! He blotted out all my transgressions ! I know that 
I have passed from death unto life." 

Faithfully he shows that all need the liberty of soul that 
is in Christ Jesus. Solemnly he sets forth that all who 
refuse this great salvation must perish forever. Elo- 
quently he depicts Christ's attractions and saving power. 
Faithful are his warnings and thrilling his appeals. Pos- 
sessing great histrionic power and great compass of voice, 
and skilful power of expression, what he describes his 
hearers see. Defying space and time, he makes the past 
present, and brings the distant nigh. By that vocal mag- 
netism which cannot be described, he arrests and holds at- 
tention. The spiritual atmosphere of his own soul is dif- 
fused over the audience, and all listen as if spell-bound. 

Speaking like one in whose heart the Saviour is en- 
throned, and in whose love his own soul delights, and in 
whose saving power he fully trusts, and in whose great 
salvation his own soul finds repose, the preacher is anxious 
to send each hearer away, not with a theory of salvation 
in his head, but with a living, loving Saviour reigning in 
the heart. 

In closing his sermon he seems almost inspired, and 



THE LONDON PRELENT MISSION COMMENCED, 179 

pleads with souls with the impassioned tenderness of a 
mother, and at times strong men bow their heads and 
weep. 

At the after-meeting the evangelist passes up and down 
the aisles between the kneeling multitude. Now he 
quotes a precious Gospel invitation. Now, to inspire con- 
fidence, he requests anxious ones to say after him — 

" Rock of Ages, cleft for me, 
Let me hide myself in Thee." 

Believing that there is power in the Saviour's name, and 
that through its utterance in faith hope dawns, he some- 
times requests penitents to say, ''''Jesus! Jesus I Jesus T' 
that they may sooner be able to say, " my Saviour !" 

The solemnity of the after-meeting, while the kneeling 
and anxious penitents repeat after the missioner special 
petitions in solemn and plaintive tone, it is impossible to 
describe. When hundreds remained there was perfect 
order, exceeding calmness, strange stillness, overawing 
serenity. And on some days, during the intervals of the 
public services, the missioner and parochial clergy spent 
hour after hour calmly conversing with souls anxious to be 
saved from the guilt and dominion of sin ; and many were 
snatched as brands from the burning. That an invisible 
power was present, the prayed-for power of the Holy 
Ghost, could not be doubted. 

At St. Jude s Churchy Mildmay Park, part of the parish of 
St. Mary's, Islington, the Rev. W. H. Aitkefi, Vicar of 
Everton, is the missioner. Previous to the evening service 
we accompany the Mission Street choir through several 
of the streets adjacent to St. Jude's. The singing of sacred 
tunes in the public streets attracting attention, the in- 
mates of houses open the doors and windows, and look 
out and listen. At the close of the hymn one of the com- 



180 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

pany loudly invites them to " Come to the mission," and 
adds a few words of exhortation. 

One of the choir said to the author : " Please, sir, as my 
throat is tired, will you kindly give loudly the notice and 
invitation ?" He answered : " I will do so if you will first 

sing, 

" ' Hark ! hark ! hear the glad tidings, 
Soon, soon, Jesus will come.' " 

After the singing and the notice we went together to the 
church. The seats in the choir nave, aisles, transepts and 
galleries are already nearly filled, and soon every pew was 
crowded. After the short " mission service" the Rev. Mr. 
Aitken enters the pulpit and preaches a solemn, instruc- 
tive, and soul-moving sermon on the destruction of the 
first-born in Egypt. The sermon was a superior specimen 
of sanctified oratory, and showed the power of sacred elo- 
quence to reproduce the scene described. The sins that 
provoked this fearful judgment, and the destroying angel 
inflicting it, were vividly depicted ; also God's great mercy 
in sparing His people whose door-lintels were sprinkled 
with blood. Now transporting the mind from Egypt to 
Calvary, the preacher depicts the deserved doom of all ; 
God's love in providing a sin-atoning Sacrifice ; the saving 
power of the blood of the Lamb, and the necessity of its 
application lo each soul in order to escape a more terrible 
calamity than the destruction in Egypt — " the bitter pangs 
of the second death !" 

How solemnly terrible are the preacher's descriptions of 
sin and judgment ! How thrilling his searching ques- 
tions ! How faithfully he warns ! How earnestly he be- 
seeches ! How tenderly he pleads with the unsaved to ac- 
cept the only Saviour ! Solemnity reigns. Hearts are 
moved. Heads droop. Sighs escape. Tears start. Im- 
ploring looks say, O Lord, have mercy ! 



THE LONDON PRELENT MISSION COMMENCED. 181 

In order to inspire gratitude for the great salvation freely 
provided for all, the evangelist requests the people to 
kneel. As they had been accustomed to repeat aloud the 
general confession, he requests them to say after him : " O 
Lord, I thank Thee that Thou didst die for me.'' From 
different parts of the crowded edifice different voices com- 
mingle, saying : " (9 Lord^ I thank Thee that Thou didst die 
for ME." 

After a solemn pause the preacher gives the instruction, 
which sets forth God's satisfaction with His Son's atone- 
ment. To inspire confidence, he requests all who are seek- 
ing assurance of salvation to say after him, " O Lord, I 
believe that Thou art satisfied with Thy Son's atonement, 
and because Thou art satisfied I am satisfied." A goodly 
number comply with this request. . By faith some behold 
their Saviour, and cast their sin-burden at His feet. Some 
believe that the Lord is in His holy temple, and their en- 
mity departs. Receiving the Atonement, turmoil ceases, 
darkness vanishes, hope dawns, tears are wiped away, and 
sad faces become radiant ! Some can sing, 

" There's a delightful clearness now. 
My clouds of doubt are gone ; 
Fled is my former darkness, too, 
My terror all withdrawn." 

Quietly the workers go from pew to pew to converse with 
those who have remained for special instruction. A de- 
voted layman addresses the author, gently saying : *' I 
hope, sir, you are a praying brother ?" " I hope so, too," 
I answered, " seeing that I have travelled over three thou- 
sand miles to study this mission." It was the duty of the 
workers to converse with whoever remained. The Lord 
has much work for laborers willing to converse with one 
individual. Devoted laymen gladly do much that some of 



182 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

the clergy leave undone. Some who can fluently address 
an overflowing congregation lack the courage to ap- 
proach an individual and say : " Do you love the Saviour f 
Religious conversation with individuals at the after-meet- 
ings led many to say : ** I love Christy because He first loved 
me. 



MIDNIGHT GOSPEL SERVICES. 183 



CHAPTER XIII. 

MIDNIGHT GOSPEL SERVICES TO RESCUE THE FALLEN. 

The A r gyle Rooms— Si. Peter's Church Filled— Appearance of 
the Audience — The Gift of a Residence — Lady Gladstone — 
Midnight Missions at Other Centres — Fallen Women Rescued. 

St, Peter's Church is in a district separated from the 
parish of St. James, Piccadilly, and was built in 1861, 
Lord Derby giving ;^5ooo toward its erection. The in- 
cumbent, the Rev. Arthur Mozley, was the successor of 
the Rev. G. H. Wilkinson, the incumbent of St. Peter's, 
Eaton Square, Belgravia, now the Bishop of Truro, Corn- 
wall. The mission in St. Peter's was conducted by the 
Rev. O. S. Prescott, S. E. Gladstone, A. C. Thynne, aided 
by the devoted church layman, Captain W. Beaumont 
Selby, late of Her Majesty's Indian Navy, now of Horn- 
well Down, Devonshire. St. Peter's Church being in the 
vicinity of Coventry Street, the Haymarket, and the Regent 
Street Quadrant, the great centres of fashionable revellers 
in midnight iniquities, the mission and the midnight ser- 
vices here rank in importance with any in London. From 
this centre of evil, fallen women descend lower and lower 
in the social scale, until loathsome to themselves and to 
others, and are "driven away in their wickedness.' 
Scenes associated with the midnight services the author 
never before witnessed. Windmill and Archer and other 
adjacent streets are lined with a variety of carriages. 



184 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

and among them costly " Broughams," with coachmen in 
livery. The owners, or hirers, of the numerous vehicles 
are now witnessing, or engaged in, the mazy dance, or 
listening to one of the best bands in London, in the 
dazzlingly gorgeous Argyle Casino, the most fashionable 
one in the city. The proprietor must either close it 
at twelve o'clock or forfeit his license. The patrons 
emerge at midnight and enter their respective carriages 
to return to their more retired but expensive haunts of sin. 
But as they pass St. Peter's Church, but a few yards dis- 
tant, the tolling bell arrests their attention. Many won- 
der, many pass by, but some remain. Women and their 
companions in sin enter the church. Soon the church is 
filled, and the entrances are crowded. But, oh, my soul, 
what a scene ! Girls of tender age, and some of the fairest 
daughters in the land, beautiful in person, and attired in 
silks, and satins, and velvets, and rich lace, and decorated 
with costly jewelry and glittering diamonds, are seated in 
the holy sanctuary, and beside them their fashionable com- 
panions in guilt. Their natural beauty and costly attire 
would lead a stranger to conclude that they are the guests 
of a royal wedding. A Christian lady was deeply moved by 
the soul-danger of the beautiful but betrayed ones present. 
As some were highly educated, and had been allured from 
boarding-schools, and could not be persuaded to enter a 
misnamed " Magdalene Hospital " or similar institution, 
even if desirous to reform, she gave one of her country 
seats to be used as a temporary home or refuge by any 
who desired to change their mode of life. As all were at- 
tired in costly garments, and real diamonds sparkled, and 
their " gentlemen" (?) were in full evening dress, it was 
impossible* for the lay workers to distinguish their true 
character or be respecters of persons. At one of the after- 
meetings a Christian woman approached the lady who had 



MIDNIGHT GOSPEL SERVICES. 185 

given the mansion referred to, and politely said : " Would 
you like to go to the new home ?" As the Rev. Mr. Glad- 
stone was one of the midnight missioners, his mother, the 
wife of the late Premier, was present at an after-meeting, 
and was asked by a stranger a similar question ! This, 
however, was kept from the "reporters." Through the 
midnight services at St. Peter's some gladly went to the 
provided homes ; others were married to their betrayers ; 
some returned to their parents ; and some said : " Thank 
God that some, of His servants are not afraid to rescue us 
from ruin !" The sad story told by some would melt a 
heart of stone. Midnight Gospel services were also held near 
a centre where those whose betrayers have forsaken them 
congregate, and fall lower and lower ; also in a church 
near a centre where those whose faces and attire are re- 
pelling assemble to drink, dance and revel. With the ex- 
ception of the first place named, the streets adjacent to 
where midnight services were held were visited by ex- 
perienced workers of the " London Midnight Mission," 
who gave cards of invitation to the women willing to re- 
ceive them to attend the service for their welfare. Before 
the religious exercises commenced they partook of re- 
freshments provided by Christian ladies, who served them 
in the school-room. Eminent clergymen and titled lords 
and ladies ate with notorious sinners ! After Gospel ad- 
dresses and touching appeals those desirous to reform 
were invited to go to suitable homes freely provided ; and 
all those who accepted the invitation were taken to them 
in covered carriages. 

During the mission throughout London special services 
were daily held, adapted to various classes. For the con- 
venience of mechanics, laborers, and the men-servants of 
the rich, services were held early in the morning, before 
thev commenced their daily duties ; and for the conven- 



186 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

ience of wealthy families special services for their domestic 
servants were held in the afternoon. For the benefit of 
cabmen and persons engaged in work in the streets, ser- 
vices were held at a convenient hour. Suitable services 
for children were held before dark in school-rooms and in 
hired halls. That mothers who were poor, and those who 
kept no servants, might attend some of the mission ser- 
vices, committees of Christian ladies took charge of their 
infants and young children during their temporary ab- 
sence. And thus all sorts of church means were used to 
save "all sorts and conditions of men," for whom the 
Church prays. In addition to announcements made in 
churches and by large placards on the walls, myriads of 
hand-bills, mission tracts, and notices in newspapers — in 
some localities the people were notified by the street-crier, 
who gathered a group by ringing his large hand bell, and 
giving notice of the services in an adjacent church. The 
spirit of the mandate was obeyed, ""Go into the streets 
and lanes of the city, and compel them to come in, that 
my house may be filled." 

The A7'chbishops of Canterbury and of York, eminent 
bishops, learned doctors of divinity, and some of the most 
earnest and eloquent preachers of the Anglican Church, 
took part in some of the numerous services. But as all 
human efforts would be in vain without the divine bless- 
ing, before the mission commenced numerous persons who 
volunteered to devote a specified number of minutes of a 
certain hour of each day or night praying for the mission 
were furnished with a printed prayer, imploring God the 
Holy Ghost to aid the missioners and God's blessing on 
the different classes specified on the perpetual prayer card 
or leaflet. That there might be no failure through sick- 
ness or other causes, a large number of Christians arranged 
to offer the " perpetual prayer" at the same selected time 



MIDNIGHT GOSPEL SERVICES. 187 

of one of the twenty-four hours of each day. So that, dur- 
ing every moment of the ten days, specific and earnest 
prayer ascended to Him who said, " Ask and ye shall re- 
ceive," that His blessing rest on the missioners and mis- 
sion. And for ten consecutive days, from two hundred 
and forty-eight large churches, numerous chapels, halls 
and school-rooms, Westminster Abbey, and St. Paul's 
Cathedral, and thousands of private houses, a mighty vol- 
ume of earnest prayer ascended, imploring God's blessing 
on the mission's unusual concentration of Gospel power. 

During this simultaneous mission, in gloomy lanes and 
in fashionable squares, the voice of mercy was sweetly 
sounded. Rich and poor sat in the sanctuary side by side. 
Men in fustian and men in broadcloth trembled and re- 
joiced together. Women in velvet and feathers, and those 
in shabby attire, heard the mandate : " Strive to enter in 
at the strait gate ; for many shall seek to enter in and 
shall not be able when once the Master of the house hath 
risen up, and hath shut mercy's door." Never before had 
the voice of warning been so earnestly sounded within so 
short a period, and the glorious results prove that Christ- 
loves His Church, and did not allow her to sleep the sleep 
of death. For when she in works denied Him He looked 
upon her with a look of compassion, as He once looked at 
St. Peter. When her spiritual life was flickering, to pre- 
vent its extinction His breath of love enkindled it into this 
bright flame, and the glad sound ascends — 

" Thou, Lord, didst send us a plenteous -ain. 
And refreshedst Thine inheritance when it was weary." 



188 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

THE MISSION THANKSGIVING SERVICE. 

The Preacher of the Sennon — Thanking God that Bishops are 
Leaders — Manifest Results of the Missiofi — The Grand Te 
Deum. 

Many are entering St. Paul's Cathedral to offer thanks- 
givings. Soon every seat is occupied, and many are stand- 
ing. 

Immediately after morning prayer the choir and con- 
gregation sang, 

" The Church's one foundation 
Is Jesus Christ, her Lord." 

The Rev. G. S. Wilkinson^ rector of St. Peter's Church, 
Eaton Square, Belgravia, preaches the thanksgiving ser- 
mon, based on Psalm 103 12:" Praise the Lord, O my 
soul, and forget not all His benefits." The speaker set 
forth that the question, " What good has the mission ac- 
complished ?" has been asked by that world whose citadel 
has been assailed, but that the question cannot now be an- 
swered in all its fulness. We come here while the war-cry 
is still sounding, " How went the battle?" We can tell 
of souls saved, of wandering sheep brought back from the 
dark mountains into mercy's fold, and of tears and pray- 
ers welling up from thankful hearts. The clergy can speak 
of the blessing to their own souls through the labors of 
the missioners who came from various parts of England to 



THE MISSION THANKSGIVING SERVICE. 189 

help them in the work of the Lord against the mighty. 
Our own spirits were well-nigh crushed. Our hands were 
hanging down. The mission to us clergy was, ** Behold, 
I bring you glad tidings of great joy." God's truth has 
been preached to our people, and the mission has made 
them free. We had been talking about the Gospel till our 
flame of love waned into a weak sentimentalism. God sent 
the voice of the mission to cry, " God is not mocked !" 
We can tell also of the blessing of God given to the Church 
workers, of love to Christ deepened, of souls who have re- 
solved to henceforth cry, " God forbid that I should glory 
save in the cross of Christ, my Lord !" and who are read}^, 
not only to be bound, but to die for the Saviour who gave 
Himself for them. We can tell that through this London 
mission God has saved lost sinners and added many to His 
Church. Should it be said that these results are but tem- 
porary, the result of excitement, this would reiterate what 
Christ taught — that some good seed might be unfruitful. 
Should mistakes be brought to light, let them be un- 
sparingly exposed, if men can be found who have the heart 
to do so, when missioners have almost broken down their 
strength in order to benefit their fellow-men. But God has 
given results from which no criticism can remove the men 
from the foundation on which they stand. Many here 
will thank God for sins forgiven, for power bestowed when 
most needed. The vast assembly were called upon to re- 
joice, because, first, we have been allowed in this mission 
to ma7iifest the 7iame of God, and to witness before men and 
angels for the kingdom of truth. Many have been led to 
declare, " I do believe in God the Father Almighty, and in 
His Son Jesus Christ, my Lord." Come what may, noth- 
ing can rob us of this — that the mission has manifested the 
name of the Lord Jehovah. 
The Rev. speaker called on all to rejoice because, sec- 



190 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

ond, nothing can rob us of the truth that this mission has 
been participated in by- the Church. God gave the mis- 
sion. The bishops had the spiritual discernment and 
power to receive God's message. The bishops recom- 
mended the mission. The clergy responded ; and the 
dean and chapter of St. Paul's made this cathedral the 
centre around which the mission revolved. Here the 
bishops summoned us to pray, and from this place they 
sent us forth to the work of the mission in the name of the 
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Here we 
met the day before the mission commenced, in order to 
pray for the Divine blessing, and here we have met to 
offer thanksgiving and praise for the cheering results. 

All should rejoice because, third, nothing can rob us of 
the fact that thousands of prayers have been offered for 
this great metropolis. Who can tell what evils shall be 
remedied in answer to prayer, and what showers of bless- 
ing shall descend in our own time on this mighty city ? 
Our bishops have been allowed, under God, to put into 
operation a mighty mission power. Oh, thank God that 
bishops are leading us in the battle, and that they had the 
courage to heed the Divine voice and send us forth. The 
Church of England as a branch of the Church catholic, as 
the result of the ten days of earnest prayer, will cause her 
power to be felt as God's chosen evangelist to the utter- 
most parts of the earth, to prepare the nations for the com- 
ing of her King to judgment. But remember that the battle 
with evil has only just begun. Satan will soon muster 
again the hosts of sin to neutralize our efforts. How shall 
we hold our ground when the great dragon is pouring 
after us the floods of evil ? Only by trusting in the power 
of God, and with prayer and thanksgiving looking up to 
Him. God only knows the future before His Church ; 
but let His people this day begin to sing, and God will 
fight for Judah, and all enemies will fall to the ground. 



THE MISSION THANKSGIVING SERVICE. 191 

In words of ringing eloquence the preacher closes the 
sermon, of which the foregoing is but a meagre outline, 
saying : " The Lord Jesus will take our effort this morn- 
ing and offer it up as the sacrifice of London ! With 
angels, and archangels, and all the company of heaven — 
with the glorious band of martyrs, prophets, saints, angels, 
ten thousand times ten thousand, raise we the strain of joy 
and praise ! With all on earth and all in heaven we lift 
up our hearts and voices. We praise Thee ! We bless Thee ! 
We glorify Thee ! We give thanks unto Thee ! Glory 
be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost !" 

A pause is now given for silent thanksgiving, and the 
vast assembly kneel. Thankfulness is deeply felt, and 
hearts throb with gratitude. But as the gratitude felt is 
so intense that it must find expression in musical utter- 
ance, the organ sounds the prelude of the musical wings 
by which the Te Deum is to soar to realms above. Waves 
of melody seem to descend and to ascend, as if the music 
of heaven and of earth have met in unison, and the pent- 
up gratitude bursts forth. ** We praise Thee, O God, ive 
acknoivledge Thee io be the Lord,'''' ascends from earth to 
heaven. And in view of the sinners saved through God's 
blessing on the mission the rejoicing angels doubtless 
take up the strain and sing, " We praise Thee, O God, we 
acknowledge Thee to be the Lord — the Lord God, strong 
in battle, mighty to save f 

Soon after the London Prelent Mission, which marked a 
new era in the history of the Church of England, Evangel- 
ist Moody and his coadjutor evangelists, and the singing 
Evangelist Sankey and his musical assistants, visited Lon- 
don and other parts of England, and preached the Gospel 
to many thousands whom the London Prelent Mission had 
not reached ; and clergymen and laymen of the Church 
heartily co-operated with them in their evangelistic labor, 
which accomplished so much good. 



192 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER XV. 

NUMEROUS MISSIONS HELD IN VARIOUS PLACES. 

Converts Steadfast — General Church Life — Christians Rejoicing 
that the Church is Awake — York Minster — Bristol Cathedral. 

Since the date of the London Prelent Mission the Rev. 
Knox Little, and other clergymen who took part therein, 
have become experienced and eminent missioners. The 
Rev. W. Hay Aitken, Vicar of Everton, and others have 
devoted themselves to the work of evangelists ; and, in 
connection with rectors and vicars who devote a portion of 
each year to evangelistic labors, missions have been held 
in the principal cities and towns of England, and the in- 
terest in parochial missions yearly increases. The unques- 
tioned good and permanent results of parochial missions 
have removed undue caution from the minds of timid rec- 
tors. Knowing that missions promote parochial efficiency, 
the question in England is not, " May I risk having amis- 
sion ?" but " When will the missioner's numerous engage- 
ments permit him to visit my parish ?" As a result of a 
general mission in Portsmouth several hundred were con- 
firmed, many of them belonging to a class difficult to im- 
press. Some time after the general mission held in the 
city of Bristol five hundred persons were confirmed in the 
ancient and restored cathedral. At a mission held in the 
city of York the congregations grew too large for any 
parish church to hold them, and the services were trans- 
ferred to the capacious cathedral or York Minster. 



NUMEROUS MISSIONS HELD IN VARIOUS PLACES. 193 



As missioners emphasize what to believe, converts, 
through God's blessing on missions, are grounded in the 
truth, and rectors guide them step after step up the ladder 
of the means of grace to the high places in Christ Jesus. 
They do not " fall away," because their hope of safety is 
not based on their variable emotions, but on God's faith- 
fulness in fulfilling His promises. In a paper read by the 
now Bishop of Truro on " the permanence of the good re- 
sults of missions," he showed (a) that some of the most un- 
promising, whose career had been carefully watched for 
years, from the time of the mission had lived consistent 
lives and died in peaceful triumph ; {b) that a large ma- 
jority of converts through missions have kept their faces 
Zionward ; {c) many are earnest Church workers, who up- 
hold their rectors' hands by hearty co-operation to save 
** all sorts and conditions of men." 

In addition to the numerous missions held by the Mis- 
sion Brothers, of whom the Rev. Fr. Benson is the head, 
since the date of the London Prelent Mission, " The 
Church of England Parochial Mission Society," of which 
the Rev. W. Hay Aitken is the superintendent, has sup- 
ported a number of missioners, who have held twelve hun- 
dred missions in different parts of England. In the spring 
of 1884 another general mission was held in the churches 
at the " West End " of London, later an Advent Mission 
in churches at the " East End.'* 

In East London mission services were held in about two 
hundred places for a space of ten days, and in some 
churches there were as many as fifteen services in a single 
day. " Processions, headed by the clergy, marched 
through the streets, singing hymns. It was sought to 
reach all classes of the population, even the lowest. A 
procession consisting of two church choirs, in surplices 
and cassocks, and missioners and clergy attired in their 



194 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

official vestments, and led by a brass band, marched 
through the Potteries, one of the most wretched districts 
in London," 

Missioner Aitken held several missions for business men 
in London, one at St. FauV s Cathedt^al, where women as well 
as men were admitted. Fors^ven weeks he daily preached 
at St. Martha s, Lothbury. By the invitation of the Mayor 
of London he also preached a few sermons at the Guild 
Hall, which was crowded with the leading business men 
of London. ^'■Latts Deo /" 

A current of holy activity now flows in reciprocal cur- 
rents from diocesan centres through every parochial artery, 
for the missions have not been conducted to make feeble 
parishes weaker, and strong parishes stronger at their ex- 
pense. Cathedrals, abbeys and parish churches, for a 
season almost deserted, are now filled with devout and 
zealous worshippers ; and eminent divines of different re- 
ligious bodies rejoice in the wondrous contrast. The Rev. 
Dr. Osborn, an aged and eminent Methodist minister, at 
a Methodist conference held in London said : " Our har- 
vest was when the Church was fast asleep and the. Dis- 
senters were all nodding ; but now the Church is wide 
awake and covers the countr}^, and has advantages which 
nobody else has and nobody can deprive them of. . . . I 
have been watching the religious condition of England 
with more or less advantage for more than half a century ; 
and I have no hesitation in saying that I do not believe 
there ever was such a revival of religion as that of which 
the Established Church of this country has been the sub- 
ject during the last half century. Looked at in its origin 
and effects, tendencies and results, there is nothing in 
ecclesiastical history that can be put side to side with 
it. . . . The clergy are patterns to all Christian ministers 
of every name and distinction, in zeal, in untiring labor ; 



NUMEROUS MISSIONS HELD IN VARIOUS PLACES. 195 

influencing the people to go to church by every variety of 
means, in one way or other, giving up their whole time to 
their work, is it a wonder that the churches are crowded ?" 
The editor of an English paper devoted to the interest 
of " Dissenters'' admits that evangelistic work, second to 
none, is being carried on within the borders of the Church 
of England by holy men of God whose love for souls and 
devotedness in preaching Christ's Gospel is 2. pattern to all 
others, and with a prayerfulness, and method, and a thor- 
oughness which produce results in which all Christians 
must greatly rejoice. 



196 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

RESULTS OF THE PAROCHIAL MISSIONS. 

Elastic Use of the Liturgy — Cle7'ical Harmony — After-77ieetings 
— -Evangelists Needed — Canon Frei7iantle — Advice to Clergy - 
771C71 — What is " Gui7tea-Fig Tanieness ".? 

The Londcn Prelent Mission marks a new era in the 
history of the Church of England. ' It was a bold religious 
measure, but the results justify its wisdom and importance. 
The bishops, wisely discerning the signs of the times, 
boldly met the emergency. To keep the increasing flame 
of revival within the Church, they said tQ the evangelists : 
" Go forward with your mission work, and we will labor 
with you." 

Through God's blessing the London mission has been 
successful, and we condense the admitted good results. The 
noble attitude of the bishops and archbishops showed their 
willingness to co-operate in every good work ; displayed 
the aggressive spirit of the Anglican Communion, and rec- 
ognized " the need of evangelists to conquer, as well as 
pastors and teachers to retain and organize, what is won 
for Christ." 

{a) In one of the mission sermons preached in Westmiil- 
ster Abbey Dr. Vaughan declared that enthusiasm is an ele- 
ment of power, and protested against the idea that enthu- 
siasm is foreign to the spirit of the Church of England. 
The London mission was a practical demonstration of the 



RESULTS OF THE PAROCHIAL MISSIO.VS. 197 

efficiency of holy fervor. And, in view of our guiding 
rubrics and restraining- canons, holv enthusiasm should 
be fostered and regulated by the Church, and neither be 
refrigerated within nor driven to the outside. Ministers 
are needed to " Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an 
alarm in God's holy mountain," as well as to obey the 
mandate, " Comfort ye, My people, speak ye comfortably 
to Jerusalem." 

A London editorial watchman says : " It is almost im- 
possible not to see that, if such an outlet for enthusiasm 
had been possible in the days of Wesley and Whitefield, 
their preaching might have simply produced that revival 
within the Church which they originally contemplated, in- 
stead of leaving behind it a new sect." It has been said 
that England has starved some of her great men, but 
erected costly monuments to their memory after their de- 
cease. The Westminster Abbey monument to the Wes- 
leys is an acknowledgment now of their ability and use- 
fulness ! 

{b) The London mission has also demonstrated that a 
more elastic use of our beautiful liturgy may be sanc- 
tioned without danger ; and that while the full services 
for Morning and Evening Prayer are desirable on Sun- 
days, selections therefrom are more profitable for mission 
services, and better adapted for aggressive Church work, 
to grasp wanderers from the wilderness and place them in 
the fold. The mission removed the reproach against the 
Church respecting " cast-iron rigidity," and proved the 
elasticity of her system to embrace and benefit all classes. 
Even at a special service for thieves, costermongers and 
street roughs, they willingly took part in an abbreviated 
service ; and when the Lord's Prayer was said their united 
voices resembled " the roll of a great diapason on some 
fine organ." And as the liturgical service was brief they 



198 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

listened attentively to the sermon that followed ; and 
some, we hope, were benefited. 

[c) The mission proved that churchmen termed ** High' 
and "Low" and " Broad" could for a season forget their 
differences, and make " Jesus Christ and Him crucified " 
the grand centre of their teaching, and unitedly labor to 
plu.ck souls from ruin to deck the Saviour's diadem. At 
the different mission centres the evangelists set forth the 
necessity of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord 
Jesus Christ ; offered in Christ's name a free and full and 
present salvation, and showed that God pardoneth and 
absolveth all those who truly repent and unfeignedly be- 
lieve His Holy Gospel. Differences that divide Were for- 
gotten ; and it is admitted that those who could not work 
in parallel lines used each other's agencies, and all seemed 
anxious to seek and save the lost. During the mission 
the radiant light beaming from the cross was not obscured 
by the smoke of bitter party controversy. 

id) The mission proved the importance of individual 
dealing with souls. Through the after-meetings seed that 
without them would have perished has brought forth 
fruit ; for, without the personal conversations, the mission 
would have resembled a large fishing net cast into the 
waters but not drawn ashore. 

{e) Through the mission a stronger bond of sympathy 
was established between the scattered clergy. Zeal in one 
inspired zeal in another. Different ones saw that they 
may labor in a large circle, and that, while one may inter- 
est the intellect of his hearers by his syllogisms, another 
can move the heart by an earnest Gospel appeal. And 
Canon Ryle says : *' The practical result I want to see pro- 
duced by the mission is a complete reform in \X\^ preaching 
of our clergy, a reform in our pulpits, a reform in the 
style, the composition, the delivery of our sermons. I do 



RESULTS OF THE PAROCHIAL MISSIONS. 199 

trust that the preaching of the missioners may produce a 
thorough revival of the English pulpit. I hope that many- 
will lay aside forever that orthodox prosiness, that re- 
spectable dulness, that leaden heaviness, that first-person- 
plural vagueness, that guinea-pig-like tameness, those 
dreary commonplaces which the laity too often complain 
of as the characteristics of the modern parson's serm,on. 
Oh, that the mission work may generate in clergymen a 
greater desire after directness, liveliness, boldness, fire, 
energy, and earnestness in speaking to the people from the 
pulpit about their souls. ... It is my firm belief that if 
five out of six of our church clergy would burn ail their 
sermons to-morrow, and resolve to preach in a new style, 
it would be an im.mense blessing to the Church of Eng- 
land. If the ' mission ' produces no other result than a 
complete reform in preaching, it will prove to have been a 
great gain." 

(/) The mission culminating so successfully proved that 
evangelists can labor in perfect harmony with rectors, and 
that missions can be held in perfect harmony with our pa- 
rochial system. The Rev. Canon Fremantle has been for 
some time actually engaged in mission work, and made it 
a special study in order to read his paper on " Parochial 
Missions" before the Leeds Church Congress. Previous 
to sailing for home the Canon wrote to the author from 
Claydon Rectory, Sussex : " I beg to thank you for a copy 
of ' Aggressive Work,' by Rev. P. B. Morgan, which ar- 
rived to-day. The mission movement has now been suf- 
ficiently tried to enable us to form somewhat safe con- 
clusions as to its operation." 

Having taken part in the work in several parts of England 
— in villages, in towns, in Liverpool, Oxford, and London 
— I can only say that the result coming under my own ob- 
servation has been the same in all. The preaching of 



200 > THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



Christ has drawn souls to Him, a fresh life has been com- 
municated to the ministry, and a power developed which 
seemed to have been unknown before. Whether this is to 
assume more of a chronic form or not I will not presume 
to say ; but I do not think that a parish or congregation 
in which the blessings of a revival have been experienced 
will soon relapse into its former state. You cannot stop a 
fountain. If it does not find a vent in one stratum it will 
in another. It will spring up into ** everlasting life." 



PART III. 



PREFATORY NOTES. 

The gradual but successful progress of the " Parochial 
Mission" has called forth devout thanksgiving to Almighty 
God from rectors and missioners and the numerous souls 
who have been saved at mission services. And if the 
Church continue to obey the command, " Take hold of 
my strength, saith Jehovah," the blessings already vouch- 
safed are but the first-fruits of an abundant spiritual harvest. 
God is still merciful and gracious, and not willing that any 
should perish. He pardoneth and absolveth all those who 
truly repent and unfeignedly believe His Holy Gospel. 
His appointed means of grace are still efficient, and the 
Sun of Righteousness continues to shine without the least 
waste of fervor or decrease of brightness. And that His 
servants continue to bring sin-sick souls beneath His heal- 
ing' beams, and be duly qualified for this important work, 
Archbishops and Bishops devoutly pray : " Most merci- 
ful Father, we beseech Thee to send upon thy servants 
thy heavenly blessing, that they may be clothed with 
righteousness, and that thy Word spoken by their mouths 
may have such success that it may never be spoken in 
vain." Rectors and missioners say " Amen," and pray 
for themselves, saying : " O Lord, my God ! I am not 
Avorthy that Thou shouldest come under my roof ; yet 
Thou hast honored thy servant with appointing him to 
stand in thy house, and to serve at thy holy altar ! To 



202 PREFATORY NOTES. 

Thee and to thy service I devote myself, body, and soul, 
and spirit, with all their powers and faculties. Fill my 
memory with the words of thy law ; enlighten my under- 
standing with the illumination of the Holy Ghost; and 
may all the wishes and desires of my will centre in what 
Thou hast commanded, and make me instrumental in 
"promoting the salvation of the people. . , , Grant that I 
may faithfully administer thy holy Sacraments, and by my 
life and doctrine set forth thy true and lively Word. Be 
ever with me in the performance of all the duties of my 
ministry — in prayer, to quicken my devotion ; in praises, 
to heighten my love and gratitude ; and in preaching, to 
give a readiness of thought and expression suitable to the 
clearness and excellency of thy Holy Word. Grant this 
for the sake of Jesus Christ thy Son our Saviour." 

And that the ministers of the Everlasting Gospel may con- 
secrate body, soul, and spirit to their great work, and in 
thought and word and deed, honor God and glorify His 
Son, they pray : 

" More holiness give us, more strivings within ; 
More patience in suffering, more sorrow for sin ; 
More faith in our Saviour, more sense of His care ; 
More joy in His service, more purpose in prayer ; 
More purity give us, more strength to o'ercome ; 
More freedom from earth stains, more longings for home ; 
More fit for the kingdom, more used would we be ; 
More blessed and holy — more. Saviour, like Thee/^ 



REASONS FOR THE AUTHOR'S SPEEDY RETURN. 203 



CHAPTER I. 

REASONS FOR THE AUTHOr's SPEEDY RETURN TO AMERICA. 

The Duty of Chrisf s Church — Christian Bodies Active — Propor- 
tion of Churchmen to the Population — Unemployed Clergy- 
men — Statistics Misleading — Unreasonable Expectations — 
Practical Questions — The Apostles Resolved and Acted — A 
Bishop' s Lamentation — Faith and Works — Imitating Method- 
ists — The Church Sky Brightens — The Wonderful Contrast, 

" Why did you not stay in England, where missions are 
well under- way ?" is a question which has been verbally 
answered. In the Anglican Church are about twenty- 
four thousand clergymen, in the branch in America 
less than four thousand. In England are two Missioner 
Brotherhoods, the Cowley Fathers, and the Staff of Clergy 
of the Church of England Parochial Mission Society. In 
the Protestant Episcopal Church Almanac numerous 
names have A.M., D.D., S.T.D., LL.D., attached, but not 
more than four have " Evang." for Evangelist affixed. Im- 
mediately after the London Prelent Mission the Evangelist 
returned to his adopted country, to cry aloud with tongue 
and pen, 

" AWAKE ! AWAKE ! PUT ON THY STRENGTH, O ZION." 

The Church of Christ was organized to meet the spiritual 
wants of all people, in all places, through all time. Christ 
commissioned His ministers to go into all the world and 
preach the Gospel to every creature, and promised to be 



204 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

with His faithful servants until the end of the world. It 
is therefore the duty of the Churchy and of each true brmtch 
thereof, to make suitable provision for the spiritual neces- 
sities of high and low, rich and poor. 

Yet in the majority of places no church accommodation 
has been provided for three fourths of the perishing popu- 
lation ; and as outdoor services would be frowned upon, 
the masses are practically cut off from the means of grace, 
and thousands die annually to whom the Church has never 
ministered ! In thousands of places our Church has never 
uttered a promise nor sounded a warning ; and the un- 
employed clergy refuse to visit such places because *' there 
are no churchmen there f In every diocese, in every State, 
multitudes are strangers to the spiritual privileges in 
Christ's Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. * But few 
are aware that our complete Church system, properly 
rendered and efficiently worked, distances all competi- 
tion ; and that our unbroken circle of doctrine and prim- 
itive Church polity combine Truth, Order and Beauty, 
and that when known must be appreciated. 

OTHER CHRISTIAN BODIES ARE ACTIVE. 

At the fiftieth anniversary of the Bible and Publication 
Society, held in Washington, D. C, in a statistical ad- 
dress on the work of Baptists for the next half century, 
the Rev. Dr. Broadus said : " Before leaving this topic I 
would say that we must keep our hold on the masses. A well- 
known Episcopal Bishop once said : ' In the providence of 
God it seems that our Church is called to preach the 
Gospel to the wealthy classes.' Dear, good old man ! What 
a wonder it did not strike him, as it did several hundreds 
who heard him, that a proof of the presence of the Saviour 
was, according to Scripture, that ' the poor had the Gospel 
preached unto them ! ' . . . We must keep our hold on the 



J 



J^E^SOjVS for the AUTHOR'S SPEEDY RETURN. 205 

masses, must rise with the masses, yea, must struggle up, 
and lift the masses with us." 

To reach the masses during the year, the Baptists have 
sent ministers and colporteurs into our organized dioceses 
and missionary jurisdictions. The colporteurs, Sunday- 
school missionaries, and missionary secretaries together 
have labored equal to 8315 days ; travelled 198,236 miles ; 
sold 809 Bibles, 826 Testaments : 1635 volumes ; given 
away 781 Bibles, 2537 Testaments, 1231 other books ; 
distributed 242,361 pages of tracts ; preached 2712 sermons ; 
made 4128 addresses ; held 2003 prayer-meetings ; visited 
18,862 families ; baptized 310 persons ; constituted 16 
churches ; organized 358 Sunday-schools, and appointed 
2302 teachers to instruct the 17,665 scholars. In the same 
dioceses and missionary jurisdictions the Methodists, Con- 
gregationalists, Presbyterians, and others are forming Sun- 
day-schools and doing missionary work. 

If denominational ministrations are by God unauthorized 
and therefore invalid, why is the Episcopal Church in 
America not more anxious concerning the multitudes who 
are daily perishing ? Bishop Stevens sounded a stirring 
Gospel note to incite the Church to duty : " The Church 
of Christ was designed to represent Him on earth, and to 
minister to all the moral needs of the human race. The 
work, then, is not done when she sends out preachers and 
teachers ; when she exhibits sacraments and liturgies ; 
when she sets up churches at home and mission stations 
abroad. She must grope her way into the alleys, and 
courts, and purlieus of the city, and up the broken stair- 
case, and into the bare room, and beside the loathsome 
sufferer. She must go down into the pit with the miner, 
into the forecastle with the sailor, into the tent with the 
soldier, into the shop with the mechanic, into the factory 
with the operative, into the field with the farmer, and into 



206 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

the counting-room with the merchant, . . . for the Church 
was organized, commissioned and Equipped for the moral 
renovation of the world." 

Centuries ago England was divided into parishes. 
To some particular parish each soul nominally belongs. 
But though there are about' twenty-four thousand clergy- 
men to make the parochial system effective, it has been 
confessed that unless something be done to supplement 
ordinary parochial efforts, the parochial system must 
ignominiously fail. What, then, is the condition of the 
United States with about three thousand working clergy- 
men, and but one churchman to each 175 persons of the 
vast population? In thousands of places in the United 
States we have no parish, no mission station, no represen- 
tation ! As the Church Christ organized was designed for 
ail places, for all time, and for all people. Bishop Stevens 
says : '* Our work is not to build up the Church as a 
mere ecclesiastical establishment, as human architects, 
with canons of conventions, and rubrics, and ritual, would 
build it — a splendid structure of Episcopal grandeur and 
liturgical magnificence ; but our work is to save souls^ to 
build them up into a living temple, to hold up Christ as 
the Saviour of the world ; like the air, the Church must 
press equally on all the surfaces of society ; like the sea, 
flow into every nook of the shore line of humanity ; and 
like the sun, shine on all things foul and low, as well as 
fair and high. 

" In America there are scores of clergymen who are 
unemployed and anxiously (and vainly) seeking for em- 
ployment. Meanwhile the societies and bishops are 
crying aloud : ' Give us men, that we may make ministers 
of them ! ' And when pointed to these unemployed and 
needy ministers * tout fait,' they reply : * Oh ! they are not 
what we want. It is not merely ministers that we need, 



REASONS FOR THE AUTHOR'S SPEEDY RETURN. 207 

but a certain kind. We cannot support married men at all. 
We want young men, full of life, strength, and zeal, such 
as can live on a trifle ; such as we can squeeze thoroughly 
until they marry or grow old, and then we shall need new 
ones.' And these societies and bishops wonder that the 
candidates do not appear." 

Now, unless we awake, and put on our strength, and 
do the work for which the Church was established, while 
we may call the territory of the United States so many 
dioceses^ the various denominations will gain and control 
the vast masses of the people. Many of our beloved 
bishops realize this. Their hearts ache because they have 
not the money to pay the expenses of an unemployed 
clergyman to labor for a time in one of the many places 
where we have no representation, and to do what has been 
too long left undone ; some wealth}?' congregations are un- 
willing that their rectors, after the manner of the Apostles, 
should occasionally carry the Gospel privileges and Church 
luxuries they enjoy to the neglected and spiritually des- 
titute ! Under " the Church's qidet ways " multitudes are 
perishing, and souls are passing to their account to whom 
she has in no way ministered. 

Should a stranger from a foreign clime read the reports 
of our Diocesan Conventions, the records of Missionary 
Convocations, the comprehensive resolutions, the statistics 
respecting missionaries and mission stations. Church 
Guilds and Sunday-schools, from the /r/;?/^^ account of our 
parochial machinery, he would conclude that the millen- 
nium, if not already here, is dawning. But though every 
statistic is accurate, and every resolution was actually 
passed, and every Missionary Convocation actually as- 
sembled, and every mission station truly exists ; yet, let 
said stranger visit the parish reporting the largest nuaiber 
of communicants, and what wiU be the result ? When he 



208 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

learns that within the bounds of that parish numbering 
seven hundred connmunicants are seven thousand souls 
who are on the broad road to death, and whose feet never 
cross the threshold of any place of worship, will he not ask : 
" Is the Church doing the work for which she was estab- 
lished, to seek and save the lost V And when said stranger 
is told that the confirmation class numbered nearly one 
hundred, but learns that during the year a larger number 
died, some never baptized, and the majority never con- 
firmed, will he not say : " Your parochial report misled 
me ; for, though strictly accurate, now I have learned the 
extent of your parish, and the numerous unsaved souls 
within its limits, my heart is sad "? 

Should the same stranger visit a few sample mission 
stations, and see the dispirited missionaries whose strug- 
gles with poverty have weakened their energies and 
cramped their talents, and learn that j-/;z^/<? men are desired, 
that married contributors may give still less for missions, 
arid the very small " stipend " be further reduced, will he 
not ask \ '' Is this the Apostolic method of Church aggression .?" 
And when he sees the mission congregation, a mere hand- 
ful of people, of a population numbering thousands, will 
he not ask : " How long would it have taken to change the 
heathen temples in Rome into Christian churches accord- 
ing to a method of mission work that would clip the wings 
of a mission seraph ? " No censure is intended to the rectors 
of the parishes, whose reports mislead because they give 
no statistics of the godless who defy God and shun His 
sanctuary. The rectors and the missionaries are doing all 
they can do, and are battling with difficulties formidable 
and discouraging. But this is certain : there is a disparity 
between the end and the means ; for one man cannot do 
what six men could not fully accomplish. 

A parish in America embraces the territory within whose 



REASONS FOR THE AUTHOR'S SPEEDY RETURN. 209 

limits no other clergyman can officiate without the Rector's 
invitation or permission. In many parishes it is utterly 
impossible for one minister to do what ought to be done. 
Within the limits of some parishes are from five to ten 
thousand persons. If all felt disposed to attend divine 
worship, the building would not hold a tenth of the 
number. Not far from the church are public houses and 
places of sinful amusement. On Sundays fathers and 
mothers desecrate the Lord's Day, and their children run 
wild in the streets. Many spend Sunday feasting, reading 
newspapers, or sleeping. Moral cancers that defile and 
destroy society exist within sound of the church bell. 

The church-goers expect weekly two elaborate and 
eloquent sermons, that the Rector visit the sick, bury the 
dead, make numerous parochial calls, and spend a portion 
of his time at social parties, and in addition evangelize the 
region ! There is no congruity between the end and the 
agency ; and because one man cannot grapple with the 
difficulties to be encountered, and do the work for which 
the Church was organized, multitudes remain godless and 
indifferent. Now, as the Saviour came from heaven to earth 
" to seek and save the lost," and died on Calvary to open 
the door of salvation to all, and commissioned His minis- 
ters to " preach the Gospel to every creature," is the 
Church, Christ's representative on earth, performing her 
duty ? Should not the already overworked rectors receive 
assistance ? Is it not the duty of the laity to furnish them 
with means to call to their aid evangelizing helpers ? 

Has the Church fulfilled her mission when she has pro- 
vided the luxuries of worship for the rich and the genteel ? 
Have the ministers completed their duties when parishes 
have been successfully organized, and a sufficient number 
of pews rented to meet current expenses ? Do we not act 
as placidly as if our few churches contained " //^^ ^/<?<r/," 



210 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

and as if the millions who attend no place of worship are 
the reprobates doomed to perish, and that to attempt to save 
them will be useless ? Do we not live too much in idealism 
instead of realism ? Do we not meditate too much on the 
dead past, and forget the living present ? Have we not 
read of the achievements of the Church in time past, the 
obstacles she has surmounted, the conquests she has gained, 
and forgotten the hosts of living foes now marshalled 
against her ? Have we not listened to the prayers and 
praises of successive generations sounding through the 
trumpet of history, mingling with the thanksgivings still 
ascending, and closed our ear to the oaths and curses that 
rend the air ? Have we not dwelt on the aesthetic and de- 
votional beauties of our admirable liturgy, and the faith- 
preserving power of our creed, recited by the saints for 
eighteen centuries ; and joined in the true confession that 
" the Cathedral service is the very highest ideal of the 
earthly worship of Almighty God ? The building seems so 
full of the ages of song that the <7/^ echoes are awakened to 
become the chorus of the anthems of to-day ; the carved an- 
gelic corbels lean over the surpliced singers, till one won- 
ders whether they are listening to or making the music of 
the services ; the Psalter, as they chant it, furnishes every 
verse with the thoughtful modulations and adaptations 
of the organ and voices, a comment on its meaning, as 
though a seraph sang a sermon on the words ; and the 
ringing ' Ameji,' or the pleading entreaty of the Confession, 
or Litany, answer, awaken, and satisfy the most intense 
idea of penitence or praise." Yet, when we dwell on the 
glories and attractions of our Church, and, elevated by her 
rich service, sing : 

'* My soul would sweetly stay 
In such a frame as this, 
And gladly sing herself away 
To everlasting bliss," 



TREASONS FOR THE A UTHOR'S SPEED V RETURN. 211 

do we not forget that those who pray apxd praise are but 
few, and that by the multitude God is defied, and His holy 
Name blasphemed ? 

What are the glories of the Church of the past to the 
unsaved living generation ? What are liturgical beauties 
printed on paper to the living multitudes who forget God 2 
What is the wise arrangement of the ecclesiastical seasons 
to the masses who from Advent to Advent never bow the 
knee in penitence at home, and at no season enter God's 
sanctuary to praise Him ? Of what use are the missionary 
resolutions of convocations and conventions, if merely 
moved, seconded, carried, and printed, and not carried 
out with self-denying and energetic action ? The Apostles 
resolved and acted. Church work was not marked down 
on paper only, but recorded on living hearts. It has been 
affirmed that while we have no book containing the mere 
resolutions of the Apostles, we have the book faithfully re- 
cording the ''acts of the Apostles." From this book we 
learn that they preached the Gospel in all places, to high 
and low, and rich and poor. By concentrating our 
principal strength on organized and strong parishes, have 
we not made the impression that our souls yearn only for 
the salvation of the wealthy and the respectable ? 

God designs that the righteousness of His Church go 
forth with brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp 
that burneth. He who said, " /am the Light of the world ' ' 
said to His disciples, "Ye are the light of the world." 
The Church, having light, must not place it under a bushel ; 
and having blessings for the world, she must not conceal 
them. For as the Church was established to shed forth 
light, and show to those in darkness the road to ceaseless 
bliss, it is high time to awake out of sleep, and shine upon 
the sons of wretchedness. 



212 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

THE BROAD ROAD TO WOE IS CROWDED. 

Vast multitudes are living without God. Infidels dar- 
ingly deny His existence. Looseness of thought has led 
to looseness of conduct. Doubt and vice are walking 
hand in hand. Crime and profligacy are on the increase. 
Existing prisons are full, and more are needed. Perilous 
times have surely come, for evil men and seducers are wax- 
ing worse and worse. Many are giving heed to seducing 
spirits and doctrines of demons. Satan is going forth as 
an angel of light. The world has formed an alliance with 
the Church, and is leading her with soft but unrelenting 
grasp. Christians go to the opera . . . and the opera 
has been invited to the Church. Faith is weak, and 
love cold, and hope dim. Some have departed from the 
faith ; and some who have not are not Christ's living 
epistles. Infidelity gains strength through 

THE WORLDLINESS OF CHRISTIANS. 

The Saviour's foes assert that " Christianity exerts so 
little influence upon its followers, makes them so little 
superior to other men, allows them to exhibit so 7michmQ2Ln- 
ness, overreaching, and lack of integrity and holiness of 
spirit, love of even sinful a.musements^ that it is questionable 
whether Christianity is at all a very mighty transforming 
power !" Though all do not thus act, they have to share 
the reproach brought on Christ's body. Because the pre- 
vailing worldliness is slaying the spiritual life of multi- 
tudes, some cry, with Jeremiah, " Oh that my head were 
waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might 
weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my 
people." 

EPISCOPAL LAMENTATION. 

Zion's overseers are sad that the Church is not as a 
crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal dia- 



REASONS FOR THE AUTHOR'S SPEEDY RETURN. 213 

dem in the hand of her God. Bishop Huntington, whose 
praise is in all the churches, and whose heart yearns for 
the welfare of the Church and the glory of her Head, says : 
" In some of our congregations the apathy is fearful. A 
torpid routine of prescribed performances appears to be about 
all that is left among them of the original operation of the 
Church of God. Fashion overlays devotion with a hand- 
some but impious display. Levity and self-indulge?ice eat 
out the heart of all earnest faith. The Holy Ghost has 
hQ.e.n grieved aiuay, and is not entreated lo return, . . . A 
polite indifference or an obstinate unbelief in the people 
gradually benumbs the energies and deadens the zeal of the 
minister with. a. fatal chiil f 

Instructed and ivakeful Christians believe revealed doc- 
trines, and perform prescribed duties. Obedience to 
Christ's command is the proof that Christ is truly loved. 
The neglect of prescribed duty implies the non-exercise of 
faith. Though good works are not meritorious, it is not 
meritorious to substitute evil deeds. St. James asks, 
" What doth it profit, though a man say I h.2iV& faith ^ and 
have not works ? Can faith save him ?" Good works have 
been termed //^^ therniojneter oi faith ^ and may be considered 
sound faith in action. Faith without works is dead, being 
alone. The doctrine of justification by faith must be set 
forth, also its kindred duties ; for many who profess to 
believe orthodox doctrine live heterodox lives ! While 
we read : " This is a faithful sayings and worthy of all accep- 
tation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sin- 
ners," we also read, '* This is a faithful sayings and I will 
that thou affirm constantly, that they who have be- 
lieved in God might be careful to maintain good works." 
Now, as good works embrace the performance of our 
personal duties to God and to man, and the prescribed 
duties to upbuild Christ's Church, therefore the slumber- 



214 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

ers in Zion must be aroused from their slumbers. The 
indolent must go into the vineyard. The saved must 
labor to save others. The riches that are in Christ Jesus 
are for the perishing multitudes. Practical Christianity- 
does not resemble electricity in a glass jar sparkling on 
Sunday mornings amid sounds of operatic music, but is 
like the electricity fertilizing the soil, and causing flow- 
ers to bloom and fruits to ripen. During Christ's ab- 
sence His servants must work for Him, and each obey 
the mandate, " Occupy till I come.'' Labor for the Lord 
is not a pulpit monopoly. The faithful laity may share 
work for the Lord with the consecrated clergy. The 
command "Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abound- 
ing in the work of the Lord^'^ was not addressed to the 
College of Apostles, nor to a diocesan or triennial conven- 
tion, nor to any " Reverend and Dear Brother," but to the 
lay members of the Church of Christ in Corinth, whom St. 
Paul styles ** my beloved brethren.' ' 

Because St. Paul co-operated with the Corinthians for 
their personal salvation and usefulness to others, he uses 
the expressive phrase " workers together.'' Where there is 
conflict success is hindered ; but where there is harmony 
great results follow. Successful Church work depends 
more on devotion and unity than on wealth and numbers. 
And the active in parishes who work against their rectors 
really v/ork against themselves ; for they must pay heavily 
hereafter to accomplish the work now neutralized ; as a 
matter of financial economy, as well as for the wise hus- 
banding of energies, parish work should be so adjusted that 
each minister and each flock may gladly say, We unitedly 
labor for Christ and the Church. God's blessing may be 
certainly expected when 



REASONS FOR THE AUTHOR'S SPEEDY RETURN. 215 



TRUE BELIEVERS ARE WORKERS TOGETHER WITH GOD. 

The efficient laborers study the Church plan of Jehovah, 
and labor according to the inspired specifications. Instead 
of working to please themselves, they strive to please God. 
Instead of deforming the Christian temple, they build 
in accordance with the heavenly pattern. Instead of rely- 
ing on their own strength, they take hold of the strength 
of God. By adapting their actions to His laws, the finite 
and the Infinite labor in unison. By using all the appli- 
ances of the means of grace they move heaven, and earth, 
and hell ! When a sinner repents there is rejoicing above, 
and the mandate sounded, Sing, O Heaven, and give ear, 
O earth ! Tune your loud cymbals, O ye saints on earth ! 
Strike your golden harps, all ye choirs above ! St. Paul, 
to incite to co-operation with divine laws, says, " We are 
laborers together with God'' — literally, " God's fellow- 
workers are we." The Apostle exhorts, saying : " We, 
then, as ^vorkers together with Him^ beseech you that ye 
receive not the grace of God in vain, . . . giving no 
offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed." 

The Saviour worked in harmony with God. He delighted 
to do God's will. He often ministered in the synagogue, 
and worshipped in the temple, but did not confine His 
ministrations within buildings erected for instruction and 
for worship. He went about doing good, and did His 
Father's will on the seashore and by the wayside — in the 
house of a chief Pharisee, or in the house of affliction. He 
did not withhold tliQ Gospel from those who hired no place 
in the synagogue or temple. Wherever He found the 
sick, there He healed them. Wherever He found iliourners, 
there He comforted them. Wherever He found sinners, 
there He preached salvation. Wherever He found those 
who would shut up the Kingdom of Heaven, there He re- 



216 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

buked them. His recorded discourses were delivered in 
the open air ; and without chancel or quartette He 
preached the Gospel. " The poor had the Gospel peached 
unto them, and the multitude heard Him gladly." Had 
we imitated . His example, a member of a convocation 
would have had no cause to publicly state that he had been 
seriously asked whether our clergy are allowed to preach the 
Gospel where there is no stained glass. 

Some time ago an iti7ierant clergyman visited a region 
where we have no church edifice, and no organized par- 
ish. As the people could not endure the summer heat in 
an exposed wooden schoolhouse, he proposed a service in 
the shaded woods. This was objected to on the ground 
that it would be '' imitating the Methodists." But though 
he proposed an out-door service in imitation of the example 
of the Saviour., yet, if we must do nothing that the Method- 
ists do on one hanti, nor that Roinanists do on the other, 
our prospect for usefulness is very limited ! 

In many places we have no church edifices ; and in many 
places where we have them the mechanics and the poor 
cannot pay the pew rent. Have we not practically cut off 
the unsaved multitudes from the means of grace ? Do not 
high pew rents proclaim that the luxurres of the Gospel 
are for the wealthy and fashionable ? The excluded gladly 
read the attacks of skeptics on the doctrines of the Church 
that has excluded them. They readily imbibe error ; grad- 
ually disbelieve the existence of God ; and we, who prac- 
tised selfisjiness, with holy horror cry : " Oh., how rapidly in- 
fidelitj,' is spreading I Oh, how dreadful to see theatres 
crov^/'ded on Sundays I" But if there is no place for them 
in the ckurches, and ministers cannot preach out of 
churches without losing caste, is it not evident that the 
rapid spread of infidelity our i 3.st\d\o\isntssh2iS facilitated ? 

But the Church is opening her eyes, and " Free 



J^EASONS FOR THE AUTHOR'S SPEEDY RETURN. 217 

Churches " are increasing. Unused means to reach the 
masses are gradually being adopted. The Church is grad- 
ually using her undeveloped power. The hearts of many 
have to seek and save the lost. When the heavens shall pass 
away with a great noise, and the elements melt with fervent 
heat, the earth also, and the w^orks that are therein, shall 
be burned up, then it will be seen that <2//labor must perish, 
except th.Q work performed for Christ. In view of this, let us 
NOT SLEEP, as do others, but work while it is called to-day. 
Happy now are all who unitedly and faithfully labor, and 
retire to rest beneath the Master's smile of approbation. 
Blessed 2S&d\\\j\\o are diligent in business, fervent in spirit, 
serving the Lord. But those noAV joyful through having 
benefited others will be glorified hereafter. Therefore, my 
beloved brethren, be ye steadfas4:, unmovable, always 
abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know 
that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Now, as the 
results of labor for God will last for ever and ever, awake ! 
awake! Put on thy strength., O Zion ! Put on thy beautiful 
garments, O Jerusalem I 

" Go labor on ! 'tis not for naught ; 
All earthly loss is heavenly gain ! 
Men heed Thee not, men praise Thee not ; 
The Master praises ! What are men ?" 

If we take the plow of truth, and break up the fallow 
ground, and sow the seed of righteousness, God will bless 
us. If we pray in faith, and work in earnest, and adapt 
our actions to the laws of success, Zion's barren fields will 
again be fruitful. Twenty years since St. Paul's Cathedral, 
with all her chorgil attractions and rich ceremonial, was 
almost deserted. This magnificent Anglican Church 
centre was principally profitable to the Dean and chapter, 
and the choristers and vergers. The desolate aisles, dreary 
walls, neglected monuments, and dreariness of empty 



218 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

space, damp with London fog, sent a chill through the 
frame. And the rendering of the whole service imparted 
the sensationalism of dreary winter, and the liturgical wor- 
ship and surrounding marble monuments to the dead were 
in perfect harmony. 

THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND IS NOW WIDE AWAKE. 

The wonderful contrast invites devout thanksgiving. 
Vast congregations now assemble to hear the Word of Life. 
Lessons are now impressively read. Praise no longer 
drags, and those who lead it behave themselves. Sermons no 
longer produce slumber, but thrill the heart and soul. The 
fresh life given to preaching has prevented the extinction 
of the mere handful of worshippers. The faithful and 
earnest proclamation of the Gospel has added to their 
number. The liturgical beauties of the Prayer-Book are 
written on their hearts, and find vocal utterance, not in 
inaudible whispers, but in tones of holy fervor. The 
Church sky was dark, and black clouds spread gloom ; 
Christ was with His Church, and did not forsake her. 
Though the Church stars were few, and the few stars dim, 
many Church stars are now brightly shining. Though the 
Church virgins slept, the Saviour's voice of love has 
awakened the slumberers. The black gloom of midnight 
has gradually departed. The Anglican Church no longer 
resembles a cemetery filled with the dead. And instead 
of spending all her strength to keep a few from ''genu- 
flecting^'' she labors with holy zeal to bring dpwn in peni- 
tence those who to Jesus have never bowed the knee ! The 
clergy do not spend all their time to regulate regalia, but 
to save the lost, adopt each other's agencies, strike the same 
key-note on the grand Gospel organ, and sing with in- 
creasing swell the Gloria for God's blessing on their 
efforts. 



LECTURES ON THE GREAT REVIVAL. 219 



CHAPTER II. 

LECTURES ON THE GREAT REVIVAL IN THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. 

Visits to Various Dioceses — JLarge Congregations — Gospel Work at 
Alidnight — Revival Lectures in Neiu York City^Brooklyn — 
Newark — Connecticut — Philadelphia — Germantown — Balti- 
more — Washington — Detroit — Chicago — Peoria — Davenport 
— Jackson and Vicksburg, Miss. 

In the time of the Apostles churches were cheered by 
the tidings of what the Lord was doing in distant places. 
To cause rejoicing in America, immediately after the 
Evangelist's arrival in New York he lectured on ''The, Great 
Revival in the Church of England.'' In New York City he 
delivered the lecture in the Church of the Holy Apostles, 
to a congregation that filled the house ; to a good congrega- 
tion in Grace Chapel ; and to two thousand hearers in 
the Church of the Holy Trinity. Near the close of the 
General Convention in St. John's Chapel he delivered the 
lecture in St. Ann's Church, New York. Bishops and 
presbyters were present, and the large congregation seemed 
deeply interested. In the Church of the Incarnation, Madi- 
son Avenue, a large congregation assembled to hear his lect- 
ure on " The Gospel Preached at Midnight" by Church of 
England clergymen to rescue fallen women. The lecturer 
described the services he attended at midnight four nights 
in succession ; his co-operation with the workers and the 
mode of working ; and the midnight services in St. Peter's 
Church, adjacent to the dazzling Argyle Rooms, where 



220 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

aristocratic sinners nightly congregate ; also the mission 
in a large parochial school-room, near the Victoria Railroad 
Station, at which -the Rev. Earl Mulgrave, and other emi- 
nent clergymen and laymen, were present. There a 
" worker " said to a poor fallen one, " Do not leave this 
place until you have decided to henceforth cease from 
sinning, and resolved to go to a home freely provided." 
" Go to a home," she answered — " I would rather take my 
Bible, jump from London Bridge, and drown myself in the 
river Thames !" What the Bible would do for her under 
such circumstances we could not determine ; but the poor 
creature had some veneration for God's Holy Word, whose 
law she had broken. At the close of the meeting several 
penitents remained for the arrival of the carriages, in which 
they were taken to designated homes. The lecture also 
described the midnight service held in one of the parochial 
school-rooms of St. Paul's Church, Lorimer Square, 
where those who accepted the card of invitation were no 
longer gorgeously attired and well supported — no longer 
youthful and attractive, nor able to hide decaying beauty. 
At a midnight service one exclaimed : *' Oh^ the wretch who 
has brought me to this f The announcement that He who 
acquitted the woman whom the Pharisees brought before 
Him for condemnation was still the friend of the outcast, 
and the Saviour of the greatest sinners, arrested their at- 
tention and moved their hearts. Overpowered by sorrow- 
ful emotion, one fell prostrate on the floor, and was carried 
to the adjoining room. Some listened as if they heard the 
words of mercy direct from heaven ; and some sang, in 
faith tones, 

" I heard the voice of Jesus say, Come unto Me and rest, 
Lay down, poor weary one, thy head upon My breast." 

Assured that Christ, who touched and cleansed the loath- 
some leper, still receiveth sinners, several resolved to live 



LECTURES ON THE GREAT REVIVAL. 221 

a new life, and were taken in carriages to comfortable 
homes. 

" Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter, 
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore ; 
Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness. 
Chords that were broken will vibrate once more." 

In St, Ann's Chapel, Brooklyn, L. I.; also in Christ 
Church, Newark, N. J., the lecture on the revived 
state of the Church of England through Parochial 
Missions attracted large audiences. The Evangelist ac- 
cepted an invitation to deliver a lecture to the professors 
and students of Berkeley Divinity School, Middle- 
town, Conn., on " The Work of the London Prelent Mission 
by Day and by Night ;" after which one of the professors 
said : *' During the delivery of the lecture I could not help 
thinking of the unappreciated work of Wesley to revive the 
Church of England." 

By invitation of Bishop Stevens the lecture was de- 
livered in the chapel of the Church of the Holy Trinity, 
Philadelphia, to the clergy of the city, whom he requested 
to ask the lecturer any questions concerning parochial 
missions. The lecture was also delivered in the church of 
which the lecturer had been Rector over five years before 
he went to Illinois ; also in the Church of the Atonement, 
the Church of St. John the Evangelist, Grace Church, to 
the students of the Divinity School, and in St. Luke's 
Church. The large congregations were delighted to learn 
that the Church, so long fast asleep, is now so wide awake. 
The lecture was also delivered in St. Peter's, German- 
towm, Pa. 

An eminent Presbyterian divine who heard the lecture in 
St. Luke's Church, Philadelphia, after his return to Balti- 
more, Md., urged the Rector of the Church of the Ascension 
to " invite the Evangelist to visit Baltimore to narrate v/hat 



222 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

a wonderful work the Lord is doing in the Church of Eng- 
land." When the lecture was delivered the Church of the 
Ascension was filled ; thirty-five clergymen were present, 
and but fifteen of them our own clergy. A Methodist bishop, 
and other ministers, were delighted that the Church of 
England is now in the living condition for which Wesley 
had so earnestly labored for fifty years. The lecturer 
afterward accepted an invitation from the Rev. J, Gram- 
mar, D.D., to deliver the lecture to his people. The Balti- 
more daily papers contained favorable notices respecting 
the revived state of the Church of England. At a later 
period the Evangelist held an Eight Days' Mission in a 
parish on the outskirts of Baltimore. 

On the day after the lecturer had been set apart by 
Bishop Huntington as his diocesan Evangelist, Bishop 
Howe, of Central Pennsylvania, invited him to locate for a 
season in Reading and take temporary charge of Christ 
Church Cathedral. But Bishop Howe, after he had received 
the answer to his letter, said : " I was too late." Soon after 
the Rev. W. P.Orrick accepted the Rectorship. After the 
London Prelent Mission had been described in churches 
in Philadelphia the Evangelist visited Reading, and ac- 
cepted an invitation from the Bishop and the Rector to 
give his lecture in the Cathedral. The congregation was 
large and the lecture reported. . The lecture, or another on 
the same subject, was delivered in Trinity Church, Wash- 
ington, D. C. In Detroit, Mich., at a union service of 
different parishes, at which the Bishop presided, the large 
congregation heard the glad tidings that the Church of 
England is now awake and active. The Bishop of Illinois 
invited the lecturer to sound the same glad news in the 
Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul, and to hold other ser- 
vices therein. A lecture on the same subject was deliv- 
ered in St. Paul's, Peoria, and Christians of the different 



LECTURES ON THE GREAT REVIVAL. 223 

churches were present. By invitation from Bishop Lee a 
lecture on " Religious Life in the Church of England " was 
delivered in the Cathedral in Davenport. He invited the 
Evangelist to make Davenport his centre, be the preacher at 
the Cathedral, and hold missions in his diocese ; but as he 
could not hold successful missions at a distance and return 
to preach therein on Sundays, the invitation was appre- 
ciated but not accepted. The Bishop soon after " entered 
into rest." 

" The Rev. J. W. Bonham, an evangelist in Central New 
York, lectured at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, in 
South Boston, upon the ' Great Awakening in the Church 
of England.' During a recent visit abroad he had been 
an interested observer of the revival work now being 
done in London under the auspices of prelates of the 
Church of England. He spoke, therefore, from personal 
knowledge, in affirming both the magnitude of the under- 
taking and the gratifying success which had attended it. 
It appears to have been initiated by the Bishops of London, 
Westminster and Rochester, and began with a ten days' 
protracted service, February 8th, 1874. Very many of 
the most celebrated churches of London had been opened 
for mission work, the special object being to gather in the 
unchurched and unbelieving people of the great city, and, 
through prayer and exhortation, to awaken their devo- 
tional feelings and lead them to accept Christ as their 
Saviour. 

" The greatest possible publicity had been given to the 
enterprise, and all the usual, as well as some unusual, 
means of advertising had been resorted to. By advertise- 
ments in the newspapers ; by printed handbills scattered 
among the crowds in the streets ; by conspicuous posters 
on the walls along the thoroughfares ; by placing the pro- 
grammes of each service in eating-houses, hotels, and 



224 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

various places of resort, general attention had been 
attracted to these gatherings. Among the unusual means 
was the sending of choirs into the streets, sometimes mov- 
ing in the form of a processional and sometimes in a less 
regular way, but stopping frequently and singing one or 
more devotional hymns. When the singing at a centre 
was ended one of the choristers loudly announced the time 
and place of the mission's ensuing service. Another un- 
usual mode was in the ancient manner, by the city criers, 
who went forth, bell in hand, and effectually proclaimed 
the desired notice. The result was that the church was 
thronged, no matter at what hour appbinted. The people 
thus called together had been addressed at different times 
and places by some of the most eminent and talented of 
the English clergy, without distinction of High Church, 
Low Church or Broad Church, and large numbers had 
been hopefully converted. The work is still being carried 
forward,' ' After a notice of the lecture published on Satur- 
day, on Sunday evening some who came to hear the 
lecture in St. Paul's Church, Boston, were unable to find 
room in any of the pews. 

REVIVAL LECTURES AND SERMONS IN MISSISSIPPL * 

On the Sunday before Lent the Evangelist was accom- 
panied by D. Sidway, Esq., to see a specimen of " Church 
work in the Penitentiary." Mr. Sidway is the superintend- 
ent of the Sunday-school herein carried on by St. Andrew's 
Brotherhood. Those who were born freedmen, and " freed- 
men " now in bondage, sat side by side on seats placed 
between the tiers of cells. The service was said by the 
superintendent, and the prisoners devoutly joined in the 
services and heartily responded. At the close of the litur- 
gical worship the prisoners formed into classes, and it was 

* Correspondence of the Church Journal and Messenger. 



LECTURES ON THE GREAT REVIVAL. 225 

interesting to hear them read the Holy Scriptures and recite 
'the lessons. At the close of the Sunday-school session 
the Evangelist delivered an address on " The Prison of 
Condemnation Opened by Christ's Atonement." It is 
cheering to know that the labors of the Brotherhood of St. 
Andrew's have been crowned v/ith God's blessing, and 
proclaimed " a great work" by the Bishop of the Diocese. 
A goodly number have been taught to recite the Catechism 
and to take part in the services of the Church. Since the 
formation of the Sunday school rriany have been taught to 
read who did not know the alphabet. A goodly number 
have been baptized by the Rector of St. Andrew's. 

Confirmation in the Penitentiary has been administered 
on two occasions, and about twenty- seven of the prisoners 
confirmed. When the Bishop administered the holy rite 
his heart was moved by what his eyes beheld, causing him 
to say : " In the subdued but earnest demeanor of the can- 
didates I seemed to see an assurance that the instruction 
given them had reached their hearts, and made them 
Q\rQ3.dY freedmen of Christy though they might yet live for 
years, and even die, at last, in bondage to the laws of 
society. After the laying on of hands I delivered an ad- 
dress on the duties of a Christian life and the solemn 
obligations which their confirmation had brought upon 
them, and left them blessing God for putting it into the 
hearts of these dear brethren to care for this offscouring 
of men, too generally left to wear out their imprisonment 
without one thought or throb of pity from that outside 
world who, from less temptation, and better instruction, 
and restraining grace, have been kept from coming into 
like condemnation," 



226 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHRIST CHURCH, VICKSBURG. 

Though the Evangelist could not arrange to hold a mis- 
sion in Jackson, in the morning and the evening of the 
Sunday before Lent, he preached to large and attentive 
congregations in St. Andrew's new church. The Evange- 
list was cordially received by the Rector, the Rev. Dr. 
Sansom. Christ Church is the parent church in the city. 
The Rev. Stephen Patterson, who fell in the fearful epi- 
demic of yellow fever in 1853, was at that time the devoted 
Rector, and whose memory is still green. But though be- 
fore the war this church was one of the strongest parishes 
in the South, the ravages of death and '' murder i7i uni- 
for??i''' made sad havoc, and weakened its strength. 

The parish has been cast down, but not destroyed, for 
the communicants now number one hundred and fifty, and 
it is blessed with a large and flourishing Sunday-school. 
The Rector and his family are highly esteemed, and the 
parishioners have recently shown their appreciation of 
their Rector's many years of faithful labors by erecting 
an elegant rectory adjoining the church. The Evangelist 
could not tarry to hold a mission, but introduced the Lent- 
en series of services by preaching in Christ Church, Ash 
Wednesday, morning and evening. 

What the Evangelist had seen and heard while in the 
South made his heart ache. Zion's harp is hung on the 
willows of adversity, and she cannot now joyfully sing the 
songs of Zion. She needs the oil of joy for mourning, and 
the garment of praise for her spirit of heaviness. Her 
heart is too tender to bear much irritation, and with world- 
ly prospects blighted she needs strong consolation. Were 
the Saviour on earth He would command, " Sheathe the 
sword ! send ambassadors of peace ! Let the Church, as 



LECTURES ON THE GREAT REVIVAL. 227 

My representative, send forth evangelists to obey the 

mandate 

" Comfort ye, comfort ye, My people, saich your God ; 
Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem in the South !" 

THE UNITED SERVICE IN CALVARY CHURCH, UTICA, N. Y. 

" The Evangelist of the Episcopal Church preached in 
Calvary Church yesterday, both morning and evening. 
Last evening nearly all the other Episcopal churches of 
the city were closed, that their congregations might listen 
to the expected discourse on the great awakening in the 
Church of England. The service^ under such circum- 
stances, was of course very largely attended. The congre- 
gation, which occupied all available seating space save the 
gallery, comprised not only Episcopalians from all parishes 
in the city, but also members of other denominations. In 
the chancel were Revs. Drs. Goodrich, Van Deusen"^ and 
Coxe, Rev. Mr. Irish, and the preacher of the occasion, 
Rev. Mr. Bonham. The service had been shortened by 
the holding of a children's service in the afternoon ; the 
discourse was of deep interest, furnishing as it did the de- 
sired information regarding the great ' revival ' which has 
revivified the Church of England. Rev. Mr. Bonham is 
enabled to speak from personal observation by reason of his 
visit to the scene of the great awakening in that immense 
city, London, and the ' revival ' was described in most 
graphic manner. Rev. Mr. Bonham impresses the hearer 
at once with the force and directness of his efforts, and his 
language is something noticeably fine. He pictured the 
awakening in London with a glowing warmth, graphic 
power, and deep earnestness which commanded the most 

* He now rests in Paradise. 



228 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

profound attention during the whole period of his dis- 
course, above an hour. The Church of England before the 
awakening was listless and inactive, so to speak. Now a 
change of wide magnitude had come. A deep period of 
seriousness had fallen on the great city, leading the 
thoughts of the myriads toward the better life. Cathedrals 
and churches are crowded, and the whole Church seems to 
be renewed in spirit, and is with most devout energy push- 
ing on the glorious work. 

" The lecturer closed saying: * The great London mis- 
sion marks a new era in the Church of England. It shows, 
the quickness of the Church authorities to observe and 
heed the signs of the times, and the acceptance by the 
Church of such a supplemental means in parochial work of 
doing good. The liturgical service is brief, but even where 
street roughs are gathered the service and the sermon are 
earnestly listened to, and the lusty voices of the roughs 
are heard in hearty unison in the singing. The entire work 
exemplifies that the Episcopal Church, with her canons 
and rubrics and staunch loyalty to her bishops, is best 
fitted to carry on a great revival work. The religious en- 
thusiasm is regulated by the liturgy. The Church of Eng- 
land is a wonderful power, the greatest barrier against both 
false doctrine and infidelity. Although it has been pro- 
claimed that 480 English clergy asked for competent con- 
fessors, 480 are not a majority of 23,000, and the Church 
of England is not by any means tending toward Rome, 
as put forth in certain quarters." 



DEATH OF THE RT. REV. H. C. WHITEHOUSE. 229 



CHAPTER III. 

THE DEATH OF THE RT. REV. H. C. WHITEHOUSE, D.D., LL.D, 

The Bishop' s Sudden Illness — His Unexpected Death — The 
Bishop's Prophetic Farewell — Sorrow of the Diocese — The 
Solei7in Funeral Services — The Funeral Oration by Bishop Lee 
— The Funeral Service ifi Trinity Churchy New York — The 
Bishop of Iowa soon followed him to Paradise. 

Not long before the Bishop's decease the author found 
him busily planning for the welfare of his diocese, and 
maturing plans for its speedy division by commissioning 
an efficient clergyman to proceed at once to raise the funds 
for the endowment of the new Episcopate. At the same 
time the Bishop showed his interest in Church life by offer- 
ing the author his cathedral to set forth the awakened 
state of the Church of England, and also to hold therein 
any services he might desire. 

During our journey from Chicago to Racine he conversed 
on various topics with his characterisic life and fluency, 
and seemed strong and vigorous. In addition to the 
Bishop's labors in his own diocese he had done efficient 
service in the diocese of Wisconsin. During the last three 
weeks of his active career he visited point after point, and, 
in addition to other labors, preached about forty sermons. 
The week preceding his prostration he preached fourteen 
times. A few days after his return home he complained 
of weariness and a severe headache. Having attended to 
the prescription of his physician, he seemed to improve, 



230 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

and anticipated a speedy recovery ; but having overtasked 
his recuperative power, on Saturday evening the Bishop 
became unconscious through a paralytic stroke. Fears 
were expressed that he was near his end, but on Sunday 
he rallied sufficiently to recognize his children, and utter 
farewell words, and to receive the Holy Communion, ad- 
ministered by the Rev. Dr. Kelly and Canon Knowles. 
Afterward he grew weaker and weaker, and on Monday 
morning at nine o'clock, at the ripe age of seventy-one, 
the Bishop heard the Voice : 

" Spirit, leave thy house of clay ! 

Lingering dust, resign thy breath !" 

So soon as practicable the clergy and laity of the diocese 
assembled at the cathedral to complete arrangements for the 
funeral, to prepare resolutions appropriate to this solemn 
bereavement, and to give expression to the Bishop's great 
worth, and the loss to the diocese caused by his decease. 
Different speakers alluded to the Bishop's multiform talents 
and excellencies, embracing his sterling qualities of mind 
and heart. Just tribute was paid to his penetrating intel- 
lect, profound learning, moral courage, and unwavering 
decision ; to his unsurpassed powers as an orator, extem- 
pore speaker, presiding officer, and entertaining conversa- 
tionalist ; also to his spirituality of mind, unblemished life, 
and tender sympathy of heart— concealed from the outer 
world, but known to those admitted to his confidence. 
One speaker movingly related that but a few days ago, at 
the recital of his sorrow, the Bishop's heart was moved and 
the tear of sympathy started. Another speaker related how 
faithfully he had warned him, how gladly he had received 
him back into his diocese, and that he had indeed found 
in the Bishop's faithfulness and affection ** a father in God.'* 

The Rev. Dr. Locke spoke feelingly of his twenty years' 



DEATH OF THE RT. REV. H. C. WHITEHOUSE. 231 

pastorate under Bishop Whitehouse. Their association had 
been of the most intimate and endearing character. His 
heart was overwhelmed with sadness as he thought of that 
great heart in its hours of trial and struggle. How 
unflinching was its courage, how tender its sympathy, 
how high its aspirations ! In silence were borne all per- 
sonal attacks. For himself the dead feared no man, 
heeded no enemy. But where the Church was concerned 
he was ever vigilant. As an extempore speaker he had no 
equal in the United States ; and as a presiding officer 
his thorough acquaintance with all the forms of law and 
all the principles established by usage rendered him prompt, 
unerring, and his dignity in the chair was known to them 
all. He was profound in learning, a wonderful conversa- 
tionalist, graceful and courteous. He had differed from 
the deceased in many things ; but there was now in his 
breast only one feeling, that he was a great man, and 
one whose loss will be felt not only by this diocese, but by 
the whole Anglican Church. 

The Rev. Dr. Chase was called upon, and said he re- 
sponded with diffidence because he feared he should be 
unable to command such language as he desired to use, 
that he might worthily speak of the departed. He had 
gone out and in with Bishop Whitehouse since 1851, and 
in all his relations he had felt that it was his bounden duty 
to uphold the Bishop, because he was right. No man in 
the Church was put forward more to meet conflict, and the 
deceased had stood forth alone and undaunted. For man 
he had no fear. He was essentially a servant of God. He 
was often misunderstood and misconstrued by worldly 
men, who saw his acts only from the light of their worldly 
position. If ever there was a man who looked at the Church 
on its godly side, it was Bishop Whitehouse. He was a 
firm believer, also, in the human side of the Church, in 



232 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

its union, and it was only by knowing this basis of all his 
work that his motives could be understood. He was ready 
to work and pray and fight, if necessary, for the human 
side of the Church. He felt himself sent by God to unite 
that side with the godly, and his heart was full with the 
great mission. This it was that gave him his intense vi- 
tality and zeal. There never was a man more God fearing, 
and he was unflinching, because he so firmly stood by what 
he held to be God's will. 

Dr. Powers said, Bishop Whitehouse would have beeir 
noted and influential in any position outside of the Churchy 
such was his mental calibre, his will, his force of character. 
There was in him a peculiar spiritual character — a capacity 
to look into the interior life that was wonderful, in addi- 
tion to the deep scholasticism, the high development of the 
objective. His sympathy and greatness of soul have not 
been understood. But in the circle immediately surround- 
ing him he would be deeply missed for the refined social 
qualities he possessed in so large a measure. It was by 
those who knew him best that he v/as most deeply loved, 
and in whose hearts there would be left the greatest void. 

The Standing Committee of the diocese decided to 
have the funeral services at the Cathedral of SS. Peter 
and Paul, at 2.30 o'clock Thursday. The Rt. Rev. Bishop 
Whipple, of Minnesota, delivered the funeral discourse. 
The Rev. Canon Knowles acted as master of ceremonies. 
The pall-bearers were requested to appear in surplice, stole, 
and purple scarf ; the other- clergy in surplice and stole 
alone. The following clergymen were selected pall- 
bearers : The Rev. Drs. Cha.se, Corbett, Kelly, Dresser, 
Powers, Benedict, Morrison, Reynolds, Gregg, Heister, 
Benton, Street, and Arvedson. 

The funeral services over the remains of the Rt. Rev. 
H. J. Whitehouse, D.D. , LL.D., in the cathedral of SS. 



DEATH OF THE RT. REV. H. C. WHITE HO USE. 233 

Peter and Paul, Chicago, were very impressive, and will 
be long remembered. The cathedral was richly draped, 
and no expense spared to make the building harmonize 
with the solemnity and dignity of the occasion. The en- 
trance and body of the cathedral, and organ, and Bishop's 
family pew were tastefully draped. The walls at the back 
of the stalls in the chancel were covered with black, relieved 
with white Maltese crosses, and the wall above the line of 
black was covered with plain purple velvet, reaching to the 
line of the corbels. Festoons of black and white and pur- 
ple reached from corbel to corbel, and heavy folds of rich 
drapery covered the reading-desk, lectern, stalls and chan- 
cel-railing. The gloom of the black was much relieved by 
the color emblem of purity, and the purple rays of regal 
glory blended with the black and the white. The font, 
front of the chancel, Bishop's chair, and altar were taste- 
fully decorated with the lavish floral presents of different 
parishes. A costly cross of white flowers, framed in moss and 
ivy leaves, was placed upon the altar. On the Bishop's 
draped chair was placed a floral crosier, crimson and white ; 
also a white floral mitre— the gift of the ladies of Grace 
Church ; while on the Episcopal chair was a crimson floral 
cross. Upon the summit of its Gothic canopy was a crown 
composed of camellias and roses, the gifts of the ladies of 
Trinity Parish. Many other costly floral gifts were taste- 
fully arranged. And while the gloomy black was inter- 
spersed with the color rays of purity and splendor, and the 
hundred lights of the chancel candelabra twinkled beams 
of brightness, flowers, God's beautiful thoughts put into 
shape, were fashioned by skilful fingers into emblems of 
joy, the floral anchor of hope, and the crown of triumph ! 

At 1.30 P.M. the clergy of the diocese, and visiting 
clergy, and curators of the cathedral, and diocesan officers, 
and the pall-bearers, assembled at the Bishop's late resi- 



234 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

dence. The remains of the Bishop were in the library, and 
watched by his bereaved sons. Not to break their holy 
revery, we spake not, but quietly gazed for the last time at 
the features of the Bishop, now " asleep in Jesus." His 
serene features, placid brow and smiling expression indi- 
cated that his joyful spirit left its parting impress on his 
face, showing that 

" Nothing disturbs that peace profound 
Which his unfettered soul enjoys." 

And while his hand held his rolled sermon cover, his serene 
and smiling lips seemed as if about to say, " Blessed are 
the dead who die in the Lord " (Rev. 14 : 13)., Attired in 
his Episcopal robes, every sign of death was absent. He 
has only fallen asleep. 

" Asleep in Jesus ! Blessed sleep, 

From which none ever wake to weep !" 

At two o'clock the funeral procession, directed by the 
Rev. C. Locke, D.D., of Grace Church, Chicago, formed 

as follows : 

The Verger of the Cathedral. 

Curators of the Cathedral. 

The Clergy of the Diocese. 

Two by two, in surplice, stole, and mourning badge. 

The Visiting Clergy. 

The Clerical Pall-Bearers. 

The Body. 

On each side of the Body the Lay Pall-Bearers. 

The Chief Mourners. 

The Standing Committee. 

The Diocesan Officers. 

From the Bishop's late residence to the cathedral en- 
trance, each side of the street was lined with spectators, and 
during the procession a church bell on the way was solemnly 



DEATH OF THE RT. REV. H C. WHITEHOUSE. 235 



tolled. On our arrival at the cathedral the clerical and lay 
pall-bearers, bearing the body, passed through the opened 
ranks, followed by the chief mourners, the clergy of the 
diocese, and the visiting clergy. Accompanied by the 
solemn organ tone. Canon Knowles chanted the opening 
sentences of the Burial Service ; and as the procession 
slowly approached the altar, solemn and impressive were 
the accompanying voices of the choristers, 

" I know that my Redeemer liveth." 

The choristers and officiating clergy occupied the stalls on 
each side of the chancel, and the Rt. Rev. the Bishops took 
their places within the chancel-rails. The silver-mounted 
rosewood casket containing the Bishop's remains, and 
covered with a heavy pall of purple velvet, laced and 
fringed with silver, stood on a bier within the chancel in 
front of the altar. On the casket was placed a large floral 
mitre, and at the foot of the bier a cross and an anchor. 

The Burial Anthem having been antiphonally chanted, 
the Rt. Rev. Bishop Talbot,* of Indiana, read the Burial 
Lesson, which was followed by a special anthem — " Like 
as a father pitieth his children, even so is the Lord merciful 
to them that fear Him." The memorial address by the 
Rt. Rev. H. W. Lee, of Iowa, was based on the words 
spoken by David in reference to Saul and Jonathan : " The 
beauty of Israel is slain upon thy places. How are the 
mighty fallen !" 

The address paid hearty tribute to the departed Bishop's 
worth as a mighty leader — mighty in native talents and in 
intellectual attainments ; and set forth that he was great 
in executive ability ; great as a presiding officer ; great as 



Bishop Talbot has since entered into his rest. 



236 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

a debater and extemporaneous speaker, and in power of 
conversation excelled by but few ; that he was influential 
in Church counsels, and gave himself with great devotion 
to whatever he believed would promote her welfare. 
Bishop Lee also showed that the departed Bishop was 
mighty in the Scriptures ; that in his administration he 
had never questioned his motives, and now that a great 
leader has fallen, he would act the part of a faithful 
witness to his many excellences and virtues ; and hoped 
that the divine benediction womld rest upon the bereaved 
family and the afflicted diocese, and that the Great Shep- 
herd may send a Chief Pastor after His own heart. The 
Bishop who thus spake., a few weeks later followed the 
deceased Bishop to Paradise. 

After the memorial address, which secured devout 
attention, the clergy, choir, and congregation sang the 

hymn : 

" O God, our help in ages past, 
Our hope in years to come ; 
Our shelter from the stormy blast, 
And our eternal home." 

At the close of the hymn words of condolence from the 
Standing Committee of the Diocese of Wisconsin were read 
by the Rev. Dr. Ashley, of Milwaukee, setting forth that, 
since the death of Bishop Armitage, Bishop Whitehouse 
had ever been ready, at whatever sacrifice of personal ease 
and convenience, to respond to any and every call for 
Episcopal offices in Wisconsin, not counting his life dear 
unto himself, that he might supply Wisconsin's lack ; that 
nothing can ever exceed the kindness, and cheerfulness, 
and humility, and unselfishness, and indifference to 
pecuniary compensation ; setting forth also that for the 
Church at large the loss of Bishop Whitehouse is well-nigh 
an irreparable loss. 



DEATH OF THE RT. REV. H. C. WHITEHOUSE. 237 

The Bishop of Illinois^ in his address to the Competition., not 
long before he fell asleep, in closing said : 

" Now we part once more in this cathedral home. We 
know that we shall not all with unchanged roll-call come 
.together again. There will be scattering and change — 
there may be death. We part in our formal sine die., know- 
ing there is an appointed day in which, whether I or you 
respond or not, this Convention shall recur and testify to 
the unfailing in the economy, notwithstanding the mutabil- 
ity of its contingents. Thus it is when we carry our eye 
farther and estimate the perpetuity beyond the bourne. 
Paradise must be the consciousness of the same trusts, the 
unbroken implication with the same struggling and ad- 
vancing hopes. The expectation of the Saviour's throne, 
waiting until His enemies be made His footstool, is the 
condition of the Militant Church, whether caught in 
glimpses through the dust of the battle-field unveiling 
before the contemplative disembodied, or inspiring the holy 
anxieties and panting love of the intercourse of the souls in 
Paradise. The accepted in the beloved after death are 
dependent on the events fulfilling in time, and are en- 
grossed by the same expectations, partakers of the same 
calling, cognizant of the same ties, and yearning for the 
same consummation of bliss both in body and soul in the 
kingdom still to come." 

The Bishop who thus spake has entered Paradise, and is 
numbered with the blessed dead who have died in the 
Lord. He now rests from his labors, but his w^orks follow 
him. 

The Bishop's remains arrived in New York on the follow- 
ing Saturday morning. They were at once removed to 
Trinity Church, and placed in charge of the sexton. A low 
platform, covered with black cloth, was arranged in front 
of the chancel, on which the casket rested. The coffin 



238 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

was a metallic one, with six silver handles, and bore the 
following inscription : 

Henry John Whitehouse, 

Second Bishop of Illinois. 

August lo, 1874. 

On the purple velvet pall were the Oxford cap and gown 
of the dead prelate. At the head of the casket stood a 
large cluster of flowers, the gift of Mr. Josiah O. Rutter, of 
Chicago. The lower part of the coffin was concealed by a 
mass of japonica and roses scattered loosely over the pall. 
During the morning the upper part of the coffin-lid was re- 
moved, and throughout the day the remains were viewed by 
a large number of persons. A little before 3 p.m. Mr. 
Carter, the assistant organist of the church, played a dirge, 
during which the family and a few of their friends took 
their seats near the chancel. There was but a small attend- 
ance, it having been understood that there would be no 
service in the church. At the close of the dirge the 
officiating clergymen, consisting of the Rev. Dr. Chase, of 
Illinois ; Prof. Seymour, Dean of the General Theological 
Seminary ; Dr. Houghton, of the Church of the Transfigu- 
ration ; the Rev. Mr. Knowles, of Chicago ; and the Rev. 
Messrs. Hitchings, Houghton, and Crapsey, of Trinity 
Parish, issued from the vestry and took their places in the 
chancel. The service, which was read by Mr. Hitchings, 
consisted of the Twenty-third Psalm, prayers from the Bur- 
ial Service, the Apostles' Creed, and the De Profundis. The 
body, preceded by the clergy and followed by the family, 
was borne down the centre aisle and placed in the hearse. 
The remains, accompanied by the relatives, the two lay 
delegates. Judge Otis, Dr. Dana, and the Rev. Mr. Knowles, 
were then taken to Greenwood. 

As the author is not aware that any biography of the 



DEATH OF THE RT. REV. H. C. WHITEHOUSE. 239 

Bishop has yet appeared, is it not time that some friend 
commence to write one ? He hopes that sotne one may he <2/- 
/^/^/^^ to prepare memorials of our deceased bishops and 
presbyters, some of whom died through overwork, others 
of broken heart ; but after more or less funeral display they 
were buried and forgotten ! Where is " the memorial mis- 
sion house" to perpetuate the faithful labors of the 
Rev. Dr. Twinge the efficient secretary of the P. E. Domes- 
tic Missionary Society ? Do we not need a cathedral in 
which to place tablets or other monument^ of eminent 
Bishops and other clergy who were valiant for " Christ 
and the Church" ? During the present state of Church 
peace and holy activity, will not wealthy Churchmen say, 
'' It shall be done ".? 



240 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER IV. 

REVIVAL LECTURES IN CATHEDRALS AND CHURCHES IN CANADA. 

The Evangelist accepted invitations to deliver lectures 
in Christ Church Cathedral, Montreal, St. Paul's Cathe- 
dral, London, Ont., St, James's Cathedral, Toronto, and in 
the Church of the Ascension, Hamilton. He also lectured 
and preache4 in Gowan 's Hall and in the Opera House, Ot- 
tawa, and in the Town Hall, Kingston, Ont. The Rev. 
Canon InneSy Rector of St. Paul's Cathedral, London, 
Huron, who was present at a mission in Hamilton, invited 
the American Evangelist to visit London and deliver 
revival lectures. The first lecture was delivered in 
St. Paul's Cathedral, on the " Great Revival in the Church 
of England." It described what archbishops, bishops, 
and some of the most eloquent among their clergy are 
doing to reach " all sorts and conditions of men," and 
the good results of their greatly blessed efforts. In St. 
George's Church he delivered a lecture on " Gospel Work 
at Midnight to Rescue Outcasts in London.'' The con- 
gregations in St. Paul's Cathedral and St. George's Church 
were large, and rejoiced to learn that their beloved Church 
of England had aroused from her slumber. Bishop Heil- 
muth afterward cheered the lecturer by stating that the 
lectures had removed prejudice concerning Parochial Mis- 
sions from the minds of the most fastidious churchmen. 
They concluded that if successful missions had been held 
in the largest cathedrals, abbeys and churches in England, 
and that archbishops and bishops took active part in the 



REVIVAL LECTURES. 241 

services, missions in Canada would not weaken Church 
prestige. 

His Lordship invited the American Church Evangel- 
ist to revisit his diocese. While a guest at his charm- 
ing residence he delivered a lecture in the chapel of the 
" Hellmuth Ladies' College." In the Chapter House at 
London he delivered, by the Bishop's invitation, a lec- 
ture before the Convocation on " The Specific Nature 
of Parochial Missions," their usefulness as a parochial 
auxiliary, and the usual cheering results. The lecture 
was prepared during the interval of the lecturer's two 
visits to London by the Bishop's special request. He 
accompanied the Bishop to a parish near Simcoe, and 
preached the second sermon at the consecration of its new 
church ; delivered a lecture in the evening in the church 
at Simcoe adjacent. After the close of the service bishop 
and lecturer went to the hall of the Young Men's Christian 
Association. The Bishop's address removed prejudice 
concerning Church exclusiveness. 

AT KINGSTON, CANADA. 

The Dean of the Cathedral was afraid to allow its use for 
a lecture on " Church Life in England through Parochial 
Missions." On the Sunday morning after the author's 
arrival he preached for one of the rectors of the city. After 
the close of the services in the churches, he preached in the 
large City Hall, under the auspices of the Young Men's 
Christian Association. A local paper reported the service : 

"The attendance was very large, the hall being com- 
pletely filled. Mr. R. V. Rogers occupied the chair.. On 
the platform were Rev. G. Grafftey, Rev. J. W. Bonham, 
of New York ; Messrs. A. Macalister, M. Gage, G. B. 
Meadows, and F. Sharpe at the piano. After a hymn 
Mr. Meadows led in prayer. The chairman read part of 



242 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



Heb. II. The Rev. Mr. Bonham's text was : * Looking unto 
Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.' — Heb. 12 : 2. 
He commenced by stating that tlie apostle made use of 
these words because he had been giving the Hebrew 
Christians an exhortation upon the achievements of faith, 
as recorded in the eleventh chapter. Those who rah in 
the various races that in St. Paul's days were prevalent, 
removed every entanglement, that they might liave the 
free use of their limbs and look steadily at the goal. So 
the Christian racer must lay aside each easily besetting 
sin, and look unto Jesus, first, as the historic Christ 
described by the four Evangelists. Even infidels 7nust do 
the historic Saviour chronological honor by using the 
Anno Domini date, without which commercial or other 
documents are not legal. 

" The Christian racer must run his race, second, * looking 
unto Jesus' as his sinless Substitute, who for him died on 
Calvary. Adam blurred and defiled man's nature, the 
sceptre dropped from his hands, and he w^as dethroned 
from his position as lord of creation ; and all self-efforts 
to regain his lost position were like striving to reanimate 
a corpse. God's law requires a perfect obedience. Man 
has broken that law, and future acts will not remove past 
acts of guilt. Man therefore requires another to meet his 
defaulting. Jesus takes man's place before the Throne of 
Justice, and assumes the obligation of man's guilt. Christ 
is the Restorer from the ruins of the fall. He only can save 
the sin-dead soul, and to do this He bore man's penalty. 
His bodily suffering was great, but His mental suffering 
greater. The withdrawal of His Father's presence con- 
stituted the height of His agony, for God's presence 
makes heaven, and His absence creates a hell. It was 
this that caused that cry of bitterest agony when He said, 
* My God, why hast Thou forsaken me ? ' If He had re- 



REVIVAL LECTURES. 243 

fused to drink of the cup all would have been lost forever. 
He cries, ' It is finished ! ' and scenes take place that 
demonstrate that more than an ordinary person has died 
»r-not a mere scenic display to gratify man's malice or 
satisfy a broken law. The thieves were sufficient for that ; 
but He was expiating the sin of a world of lost sinners. 
Death had Him in its grasp, and if it could have held Him 
the sacrifice would have been in vain. If He rose not, 
mean's hopes were forever buried in His grave. But 
' looking unto Jesus ' we see death's Conqueror. He rose 
triumphant from the tomb, and * there is now no con- 
demnation to them that are in Chj'ist Jesus. ^ After the. 
hymn, * There is life for a look at the Crucified One,' the 
Rev. G. Grafftey led in prayer." 

The committee of the Young Men's Christian Associa- 
tion kindly gave the free use of the hall of their own rooms 
for Gospel services during the week. An editorial in a 
local paper inquired : ** As the American Evangelist has 
lectured in Canadian cathedrals, is the Church Cathedral 
in Kingston superior, so that he could not narrate therein 
the wondrous activity of the Church of England ?" 

By i7ivitation of the Rector of St. James Cathedral and 
of the rectors of several of the other parishes, the author 
preached sermons or delivered lectures in the Cathe- 
dral and in a number of the Toronto churches. At the 
close of a lecture in a church where the Bishop was pres- 
ent he asked : " Did the Dean permit you to deliver that 
lecture in the Cathedral ?" He seemed surprised and grat- 
ified to learn that he had invited him to do so, and in- 
quired concerning the needful preparation for a general 
mission. He afterward requested Archdeacon Whittaker 
to " invite a number of the Toronto clergy to meet the 
lecturer, and ascertain whether a general mission in the 
city would be desirable ?" They met and dined at the 



244 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

Archdeacon's residence, after which there was a free inter- 
change of opinion. They unanimously concluded that a 
general mission was desirable. But as the Dean was not 
present, and it was known that he had misgivings concern^ 
ing the results of revivals, and feared that if he had a mis- 
sion in his Cathedral some might conclude that he sym- 
pathized with '' Ritualists," the clergy were convinced 
that if the Dean, whom they very highly esteemed, should 
take no part, even if other rectors held a simultaneous 
mission, the public would conclude that he had foreseen 
some "Romish tendencies" in the mission movement. 
They therefore decided that a general mission was much 
needed ; but without the co-operation of the Dean of 
Toronto it would not be prudent to arrange for one at 
present. The Dean's fears, however, will soon depart ! 



INTRODUCTION OF PAROCHIAL MISSIONS. 245 



CHAPTER V. 

INTRODUCTION OF PAROCHIAL MISSIONS IN CANADA. 

Mission in Christ Church Cathedral^ Montreal — St. Jude s 
Church — Lectures on Missions i7i St. Paul' s^ London, Huron 
— The Rev. W. S. Rainsford's Mission in St. PauVs 
Cathedral, London — Many Sinners Saved — The Very Rev, 
Dean Grazette Delighted — The Wonderful Mission in St. 
James^ Cathedral., Toronto. 

Accompanied by Mr. Thomas Whittaker, Evangelist Bonham 
visited Montreal. By invitation of the Very Rev. Dean 
Bond, D.D., Rector of St. George's Church, for whom he 
had preached on previous visits, he preached in St. George's 
new church ; and afterward prea;ched for the Rev. J. P. 
Du Moulin, then Rector of St. Martin's Church, now the 
Rector of St. James' Cathedral, Toronto. After Mr. 
Whittaker's return to New York, by invitation from the 
Rev. Canon Baldwin, now Bishop of Huron, the Evange- 
list held a Twelve Days' Mission in Christ Church Cathe- 
dral, of which he was then the zealous Rector. The Rt. 
Rev. Ashton Oxenden, Metropolitan of Canada,' heartily 
sympathized with the mission, and preached one of the 
sermons. Dean Bond and other clergymen took active 
part in the services. The usual daily morning prayer 
in the Cathedral was said by the Rector or one of his 
assistants. A daily devotional service was conducted by 
the Rector in the adjacent Chapter House. The daily 
evening mission sermon in the Cathedral was preached 



246 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

by the missioner, followed by a very earnest instruction 
by the Rector. Ministers of different religious bodies 
publicly prayed in their churches that God's blessing 
might rest on the evangelistic services. Daily papers 
published favorable reports of the sermons, addresses, and 
services. The mission continued twelve days, and the 
congregations were large and attentive. As the Rector 
had printed on large posters, " Gospel Services," etc., 
a churchman objected to the phrase, on the ground that 
the regular Cathedral worship was Gospel services. Had 
they been called "a Mission," some other person would 
have feared that the Pope was in spirit present, though 
invisible. 

At the same time the eminently useful Evangelist, 
" Harry Morehouse," was conducting evangelistic services 
in the large hall of the Young Men's Christian Association. 
In Yorkshire dialect he entreated the missioner to " coom 
in after the close of the evening services in the Cathe- 
dral, if you only just say the Benediction, for it is so 
seldom that an Episcopalian will condescend to say a 
blessing on us." He now " rests from his labors, and his 
works do follow him." 

Immediately after the close of the mission in the Cathe- 
dral the Evangelist conducted a mission in St. Jude's 
Church, and was efficiently assisted by the Rector and 
the Dean of Montreal. Some person opposed to the 
mission during the night tore down the large posters 
announcing the services ; they were, however, well at- 
tended. St. Jude's parish have since built a large stone 
church ; and the earnest Rector is worthy of hearty com- 
mendation for his earnestness, great patience, and " final 
perseverance." 

In Ottaiva, Canada^ the author held one mission in the 
rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association ; another 



INTRODUCTION OF PAROCHIAI MISSIONS. 247 

in Gowan's HaJl ; and after church hours, a farewell 
evangelistic service in the large Opera House. Ten 
thousand copies of the tract " Profit or Loss" were circu- 
lated during his visit. A member of the Canadian Parlia- 
ment v/ho believes in temporal, if not in eternal punish- 
ment, said : " The author ought to be imprisoned." 

The Rev. W. S. Rainsford^ a few weeks after the revival 
lectures were delivered in St. Paul's Cathedral, London, 
HuKon, commenced a mission therein, and aroused un- 
usual interest. The building was crowded at the daily mis- 
sion services. Great good resulted from his earnest Gospel 
sermons. Many studied the Bible as never before. The 
mission was considered "wonderful," and the tidings of 
the great religious interest awakened reached distant places. 
Many, through the missioner's faithful Gospel sermons, 
received great blessings, and will ever remember him as 
the Saviour's minister who led them into the ark of safet3^ 
The laity of London learned to love their rectors more 
than ever before through their love for the missioner who, 
through God's blessing, stirred them to live a more intense 
religious life in Christ. 

By arrangements the Bishop made with the venerable Arch- 
deacon Sweatman, now the Bishop of Toronto, and other 
rectors, the author conducted a mission at Woodstock, 
another at Kincardine, two in succession in churches 
at Brantford, and another at Tilsonburg. The ser- 
vices at each place were well attended ; but the interest 
awakened at the second mission in Brantford was greater 
than at either of the others, for the rectors and choirs of 
the two churches united. The church was large, but the 
congregations filled it, and were solemnly attentive. 

The tidings of the good results of the mission i?i London soon 
reached the ears of the Very Rev. Dean Grazette, and his 
conscientious scruples concerning missions suddenly de- 



248 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

parted. The announcement that " the Rev. W. S. Rainsford 
will conduct a mission in St. James' Cathedral, Toronto," 
caused surprise and gladness. The mission is commenced ; 
crowds attend the services ; and inside the Cathedral no 
more persons can find even room to stand. As the interest 
daily increases the Dean is delighted, and his enthusiasm 
increases. The pews in the body of the church, in the 
galleries, chancel, aisles, and entrances are all crowded. 
At a service at which the author was present as many as 
three thousand persons were in the vast building. The 
missioner preached with great plainness of speech and 
fervor of utterance. The sermon was not brief, but the 
hearers were spellbound. Those unable to understand 
the logic or exegesis in his sermon could not misunder- 
stand his vivid pictorial illustrations. As Trinity Church 
was crowded at the three weeks' noonday sermons preached 
by Missioner Aitken, so St. James' Cathedral, Toronto, 
was crowded during the mission held therein by Missioner 
Rainsford. [Some of the Toronto churchmen were horrified 
that even the chancel was filled with laymen ! An article 
in a paper considered this a desecration of the holy part of 
the Cathedral !) Through God's blessing on the numerous 
services a large number of persons were benefited. Rec- 
tors of distant parishes unitedly called aloud, " Come and 
help us." He said '' No^' again and again, until the 
vestry of St. George' s Churchy New York, would not accept 
"no" as a satisfactory answer. So they '' called again ;" 
and when he answered '* Yes^'' they greatly rejoiced. 

THE MISSION IN TORONTO VIVIDLY REMEMBERED. 

'* The most remarkable mission that I ever saw was one 
in Toronto in 1876 and 1877. A long season of quiet Chris- 
tian growth had preceded the work. The fire had been 
laid, and it seemed as if, in the providence of God, the 



INTRODUCTION OF PAROCHIAL MISSIONS. 249 

time had come to apply the spark. I vividly remember 
the first^after-meeting. Missioner Rainsford had carefully 
refrained from asking the people who were present to 
speak to him personally concerning the salvation of the 
soul until the close of the first week of the services ; but 
on Monday night of the second week, seeing that matters 
were ripe, he invited * all who were anxious for further 
instruction to go over to the large school-house across the 
Cathedral's churchyard.' In a quarter of an hour there 
were between five hundred and six hundred men and 
woman anxiously seeking to enter upon the better life. 
Usually those who are anxious prefer to speak only to the 
missioner ; but at the time referred to all personal choice 
had departed. They were indifferent as to who spoke to 
them, so long as the speaker could understand and help 
the case. The work was the deepest and most lasting 
that has ever been my privilege to see anywhere. It is no 
exaggeration to say that its effect is deeply felt in the city 
to-day. I could write a volume respecting the incidents 
that then occurred. Eight years have not been able to 
obliterate from my memory the manifestation of the 
power of the Gospel at the mission in Toronto." Many 
could sing : 

" No sooner I my wound disclosed, 
The guilt that tortured me within, 
But God's forgiveness interposed, 
And mercy's healing balm poured in." 



250 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER VI. 

THE CHURCH REVIVAL IN INDIANAPOLIS. 

The Rev. P. B. Morgan s Mission at Indianapolis — The Pev. 
E. A. Bradley and Other Rectors of the City — Bishop Talbofs 
Hearty Approval of the Mission — The Mission s Manifest 
Results — A Christian Wornaii s Letter, 

While the Rev. P. B. Morgan was Rector of St. John's 
Church, Ithaca, he was absent for a season to conduct a 
mission in Indianapolis, Ind. According to a report of 
the mission in the Indiana Churchman^ the first thing was 
to secure an Evangelist at a time when its promoters could 
have the presence of the Bishop and general co-opera- 
tion of the clergy. The mission was begun under the 
hearty endorsement of the whole clerical force and the 
co-operation of the Bishop, who had greatly desired such 
an effort for several years. The Bishop and clergy left the 
managem-ent of the details toXSi^Rev. E. A. Bradley., Rector 
of Christ Church. The Bishop had said publicly that he was 
fully determined that- the effort should be made ; and the 
Rector of Christ Church selected a committee from each 
parish. The committee resolved to have 5000 copies of 
a circular printed for general distribution from house to 
house in the lower part of the city. The circular, which 
gave the times of the services, was set up in large type, 
and signed by the Rt. Rev. J. C. Talbot^ Bishop j the Rev. 
Messrs. Bradley, Atcstin^ Engle, Roberts^ Dunhain and Bird, 
assisting clergy. 



THE CHURCH REVIVAL IN INDIANAPOLIS. 251 

The evening the mission commenced the darkness was 
dense ; the wind swept rain and hail into the faces of those 
who looked out-of-doors, and drove them back. When the 
Evangelist arrived the Bishop and clergy of the city were 
in the chancel of the old mother church, which was more 
than half full of people. The Evangelist made an address 
unfolding the " Mission Idea •' called for lay workers ; and 
related an incident which gathered before him, after the 
service, a little phalanx of willing helpers. The Bishop 
said that the whole purpose and plan of the mission had 
his sanction and hearty soul-felt God-speed. He had long 
felt the need of such a work, and blessed God for granting 
him life to see its beginning. 

During the two weeks of the mission different daily ser- 
vices were held : special services at the Blind Asylum ; 
sermons were preached to workingmen ; a special service 
was held at the Deaf and Dumb Asylum ; a service for men 
only ; and at the mission sermons in the evening, when 
the weather was favorable, the largest church was crowded. 
After each sermon some of the clergy would deliver a brief 
address on " God's Love,' ' " The Sinfulness of Sin," " The 
Sinner's Death," "The Believer's Death," "The Last 
Things," " The Angel's Crown," or on other topics in har- 
mony with the missioner's sermon. The Holy Spirit was 
present, convincing of sin, righteousness and judgment. 
Cases of rare interest were developed, gatherings that in- 
creased constantly in interest. One morning a Judge rose, 
and, after showing the blessings sure to come from the 
mission effort, confessed that he had been, without reason, 
standing outside the Church. He admitted Christ's claim 
upon him and was henceforth His. The same morning a 
prominent lawyer told how a wife's prayers, and his child's 
influence, and the power of the mission effort had freed 
him from the chain of scepticism and sin. Now he was 



252 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

able to say the Apostles' Creed, and range himself on the 
Lord's side. Another morning two prodigal sons told, 
with choked voices, how their hearts were touched, and 
how God, their Father, was leading them back. They 
wanted us to pray for them. One asked special prayers for 
a friend in doubt and trouble. He said he was confirmed 
years ago, but never felt that he belonged to the Church. 
He had never received much attention, and knew but little 
of religious matters. The first prayer he ever felt had 
been answered. He prayed the night before on his way 
home, in great distress. He wanted help. Another told 
of the struggles he had had all the night before, and in 
weakness he came to be strengthened by our sympathy and 
prayers. We never saw such mornings in our lives. They 
were precious seasons. Baptists, Methodists, Congrega- 
tionalists, and even Quaker friends, came in, testifying 
that they felt the present Saviour with us, and bade us 
God-speed. The pulpits of the city around us uttered a 
fervent " praise God." To say that tears flowed is nothing. 
The flood-gates were broken up, and clergy and people 
wept for joy. It did seem as if the fires and winds of a 
new Pentecost were burning and blowing along the frigid 
and stagnant waters of our Zion. 

Wednesday morning, at 8 o'clock, we had a United Com- 
munion Service at Christ Church. It was a delicious ser- 
vice. Morning and evening prayer was said during the 
day, and at night Christ Church was filled. Notice and a 
warm, urgent invitation were given to all interested in per- 
sonal religion to wait after the sermon for conference with 
the pastors and Christian friends. While those who chose 
to leave were passing out the workers rose and came for- 
ward for pamphlets, and to report cases for personal atten- 
tion to the clergy. The clergy laid aside their robes and 
came down among the people. The hymn, ' * J ust as I am," 



THE CHURCH REVIVAL IN INDIANAPOLIS. 253 

was sung, and the real work of seeking out those desiring 
to begin, or to renew, their Christian life, began. All was 
most informal, but all were intensely in earnest. Names 
were taken for confirmation, and many enrolled themselves 
as workers. Committees of the Working Band were ap- 
pointed to arrange for special services at institutions and 
the mills. 

The conference meeting, at 9 o'clock, proved of special 
interest and great spiritual profit. The Evangelist con- 
ducted without surplice, and everything was most informal. 
A hymn was first sung, a few collects were said, a second 
hymn followed, and then a short, stirring address by the 
Evangelist. He then asked for reports from the workers. 
The experience in praying for and trying to lead others 
to Christ was detailed. Some asked for prayers for special 
friends ; wives wanted the Evangelist, or one of the clergy, 
to speak to their husbands ; mothers were anxious about 
sons. Nothing could be more delightful than the depth of 
Christian experience and feeling that were manifested in 
these morning meetings. It was reported that the pro- 
prietors of the Old Rolling Mill would open for a service 
the next morning, at 11:30, 

The mission closed with a grand meeting. The classes 
were called round the Evangelist in front of the chancel, 
and Vvhile the after-meeting work went on he gave them his 
last instruction. At 10:30 we left St. Paul's, where men 
and women by the score were still lingering for the last 
words and the blessing of the Evangelist. 

During the mission, which lasted a fortnight, over forty 
sermons were preached, besides addresses, exhortations 
and instructions. The power of God was present ; and 
strongmen in this community have been plucked as brands 
from the burning. 



254 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

The Indiana Churc/iman, in a later issue, published a 
summary of " The Fruits of the Mission : '' 

" In our last number we gave a full and detailed account 
of the mission services. It was finally agreed to hold 
Union meetings on Sunday nights at St, Paul's Cathedral, 
and conference m.eetings on Thursday evenings in Christ 
Church. The several rectors present gave notice of the 
times on which they would meet candidates for confirma- 
tion. The lay workers were exhorted to rally around their 
respective parish priests, and assist them in the good work 
by urging others to come out on the Lord's side. 

" At the conference meeting held in Christ Church on 
the following Thursday evening the Bishop presided. A 
number of spirited addresses were made by the clergy 
present. The singing was full and hearty. The Bishop 
fully endorsed the good work now being so happily brought 
to its close. He recognized the hand of God in it. The 
mission had yielded the blessed fruits of the Spirit in a re- 
markable manner, for which he devoutly thanked Almighty 
God. Soon after the mission the Bishop confirmed ninety- 
one persons. The absentees through sickness and other 
hindrances will be gathered in at the midsummer confir- 
mation." 

A devoted churchwoman, aware of the Rev. P. B. Mor- 
gan's anxiety and hesitancy respecting his future course, 
to move him to tender his resignation as rector, thereby 
lose his seat in Convention, and henceforth " do the work 
of an Evangelist," wrote to him as follows : • 



Washington, D. C, March 23, 1874. 

It has seemed to me that your duty with regard 

to being a missioner has never been frankly and boldly 
canvassed. There is a shrinking, a timidity in approaching 



THE CHURCH REVIVAL IN INDIANAPOLIS. 255 

the subject, as if you did not dare to walk out in your faith 
and say, " Here am I, send me." 

Your faith so much resembles that of the old lady whose 
horse ran away that I must tell you about her. Driving 
quietly over a well-known road, meditating on the good- 
ness of God and how good a thing it is to have confidence 
in Him in times of trial, all at once her horse took fright, 
and tore along at a rate that promised destruction to him- 
self and his driver. But the woman was saved. In nar- 
rating the incident she said, " I trusted in God till the 
reins broke, then I didn't know what to do !" As far as 
you can see you are willing to go, but beyond that you 
dare not go. Is that faith ? 

Now, I do not say that it is your duty to go from city 
to city and warn the careless and indifferent, but I do say, 
you have a right to ask but one question, " Does God call 
me to this work?" How you and your family are to be 
supported is His care and not yours. He requires you to 
"provide" for your family, but as Lord of the vineyard 
He has perfect right to dictate the portion you shall cul- 
tivate and what wages you shall receive. If we cannot 
support the present artificial state of life, there is no rea- 
son in repining and charging God with not having ful- 
filled His contract. Great inconveniences are of little 
account when put in the balance against a lost soul. 

If God intends to revive the Church by missions some- 
body must begin, and that somebody will have to make 
sacrifices. But whoever made a sacrifice for Christ but 
that received his "hundredfold" in this life? It is so 
seldom that we indulge in such things in this age of self- 
serving that if one should see it we should cry out at once, 
" Enthusiast !" Even the best members of the Church 
think a man must have parted with his senses if he sup- 
poses such a line of conduct will be acceptable. 



256 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

But the world is waxing worse and worse, and neither 
your voice, nor the voice of the rectors generally, is heard 
among the masses. They are not in the churches to hear 
you, and they never will hear the Gospel unless it is car- 
ried \,o them. The pew-letting system has literally turned 
them out-doors, and once out it will take more than human 
skill or energy to bring them back to their " Father's 
house." 

Do look at the mission work by the light emanating 

from another world, through the Word of God. Contrast 

the " light afflictions " with the " weight of glory," and 

if you have the Cross to bear, take it up, trusting in an 

unfailing Heavenly Father. 

Very sincerely yours, 

* * * 



BISHOPS IN FA VOR OF EVANGELISTIC SERVICES. 257 



CHAPTER VII. 

BISHOPS IN FAVOR OF EVANGELISTIC SERVICES. 

The Rev. P. B. Morgans '''' Agg7'essive Wo?'k" — Plans an 
^''Evangelization Society'' — Nu??ierous Bishops Affix their 
Signatures — Addresses in its Favor — No Fund for the 
Support of Evangelists ! — Bishop H. Potter s Appeal for the 
Diocesan Mission Treasury — The Bishop of Lo7ig Island' s 
Echo — The Church Called " <2 Beggar T' — Are Evangelists 
Needed ifi the East 7 — How to Provide for their Support. 

The Rev. P. B. Morgan published a stirring volume, with 
the introduction by Bishop Huntington, entitled " Aggres- 
sive Work." The author of "The Church Revived" 
sent a copy to the Vicar of St. Peter's Church, Dulwich, 
London, England. He acknowledged its receipt, saying : 
*' The subject is one of vital importance and of the highest 
interest, both to the Church and to the world. I regard 
that little book as a sign of a deep, wide, and glorious 
movement. It is the sound on the top of the mulberry 
trees — ^the goings forth of God, the Holy Ghost, to 
quicken, to strengthen, and to save. I would that every 
minister of the great Anglican Church possessed a copy 
and would read it with prayerful attention, and live to 
the level of its grand purpose. How would her power 
then prove irresistible and her progress rapid and glorious 
beyond our conceptions." 

The Very Rev. the Dean of St. Paul' s Cathedral gladly 



258 . THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

received a copy. The Rev. Canon Fre7nantle also received 
one, and kindly invited the sender to visit him when in 
England. " ' Aggressive Work ' has set my heartburning 
in the reading. We cannot conceive how any clergyman 
can read it without that result. It is a book to stir the 
Church to her depths, and make us all ask what we can 
do."* "The author writes out of a full heart and with 
force, making a strong plea for the employment of Evan- 
gelists. . . . The need and the duty of recovering the 
office of Evangelist, or at least of seeing that the work 
w^hich the Evangelist of the early Church did is done now, 
no one can dispute. "f " If the clergy of our Church are 
wise, if they would be winners of souls, they will not 
only read, but will make themselves masters of this 
admirable volume. "J 

The author of " Agg?^essive Work,'' during the sessions of 
the General Convention held in St. John's, Varick Street, 
several years ago, obtained the signatures of the following 
eminent Bishops, endorsing a plan for an order of Evan- 
gelists, subject to Episcopal authority, in the several dio- 
ceses : 

The Rt. Rev. B. B. Smith ; Alfred Lee ; J. Johns ; John 
B. Kerfoot ; G. T. Bedell ; W. W. Green ; H. B. Whipple ; 
Thomas M. Clark ; Thomas M. Vail ; A. Cleveland Coxe ; 
M. A. DeWolfe Howe ; William Pinkney ; William Bacon 
Stevens ; Thomas Atkinson ; H. A. Neeley ; A. N. Little- 
john ; F. D. Huntington ; O. W. Whitaker ; C. F. Robert- 
son ; Francis M. Whittle ; Charles Todd Ouintard ; Rob- 
ert H. Clarkson ; Theodore B. Lyman ; William W. Niles ; 
Daniel S. Tuttle ; Joseph C. Talbot ; John W. Beckwith ; 
Alexander Gregg ; William H. Hare ; John Franklin 
Spaulding ; J. P. B. Wilmer. 

* Church JournaL \ Churchman. % Church and State. 



BISHOPS IN- FA VOR OF EVANGELISTIC SERVICES. 259 



At a special meeting in Cfirist Church, New York, at 
which the Rt. Rev. Horatio Potter, D.D., presided, after 
devotional exercises, addresses in favor of an Evangeliza- 
tion Society were made by the Rev. P. B. Morgan, the 
Rt. Rev. the Bishop of Minnesota, the Rev. Dr. H. 
C. Potter, Rector of Grace Church, New York, the Rt. 
Rev. the Bishop of Indiana, and the Rev. Dr. Thompson^ 
who was then the Rector of Christ church, now the 
assistant Bishop of Mississippi. 

Through his editorial trumpet the Doctor afterward 
said : 

" Heaven pity us if we refuse to do this work ! But if it 
is to be done, why not enter upon it at once ? Why not 
come at once to the rescue, and nobly and faithfully stay 
up the hands of the Bishops ?" 

Representatives of all Protestant Christians have asked, 
" How may the masses be reached ? The Roman Catholics 
have no occasion to ask this question." Can non-church- 
goers by any means be influenced to " keep holy the Sab- 
bath day" ? This question has been asked and answered 
at clerical clubs, at missionary convocations, at diocesan 
and general conventions ; also in reviews, magazines and 
newspapers. In respect to the churches and the people 
one of the daily papers said : 

" The decline of church attendance in proportion to the 
population, the stagnant condition of some of the denomi- 
nations, the waning influence of the clergy, the growth 
of infidelity, are all facts of which these churches cannot 
be ignorant, and which they cannot gainsay. In the great 
cities, and even in smaller towns, costly church edifices are 
only partially filled on Sunday, and many devices must 
be used to draw people to them. The demand for star 
preachers is greater than the supply, and they are able to 
command salaries far in excess of those paid in former times. 



260 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

Expensive choirs must be maintained. The churches must 
be eligibly situated and attractively furnished. 

" Even the Methodists are falling into the fashionable 
ways. Instead of the plain meeting-houses with which 
they were formerly content, they are now building elegant 
temples of worship. Their system of itinerancy must be 
modified to meet the views of metropolitan congregations. 
They insist on selecting their own preachers, and will not 
have them changed every few years, after the old plan, 
which proved so successful. 

" There is the same demand for takirig preachers in the 
leading churches of all the denominations. They are after 
popular men, for without such in their pulpits they will be 
distanced by their neighbors in possession of the necessary 
attraction. When a large church loses its pastor the work 
of selecting his successor often occupies many months. 
Committees will travel far and near searching for a man of 
the requisite eloquence and proper refinement of manners. 
It is as when Mr. Mapleson starts out in pursuit of a new 
tenor. The fate of their houses may depend on their suc- 
cess. Young preachers all over the country dream of 
winning the prize of the pulpit of a great city church. 

" All this makes the maintenance of a city church much 
more costly than formerly, and the expense increases with 
its fashion. Hence pew rents have gone up, and here are 
churches in New York which are attended only or almost 
entirely by well-to-do people. In order to get a sprinkling 
of poverty in their congregations they sometimes even go 
so far as to practically hire a special body of paupers to fill 
the seats allotted to the poor. That is, they support them 
and coddle them, with the implied understanding that they 
shall * come to church.'' But the great mass of the indigent, 
and of those who know poverty in its different grades, would 
no more think of entering these halls, presumably dedicated 



BISHOPS IN FA VOR OF EVANGELISTIC SERVICES. 261 

to God, than they would of probing their way into the box 
circle of the Academy of Music on an opera night without 
a ticket. It is true, rich congregations will support mis- 
sion churches for the special use of their poorer neighbors ; 
but what ignorance of human nature that skows ! What 
a perversion of Christianity is involved in it ! 

" It is obvious that, if the churches are ever to reach all 
parts of society, they must treat them all alike as equal 
before God. If their necessities require that they charge 
a price for a seat, it must be the same for everybody and 
within the means of people on the average. They cannot 
expect that the masses, as they call them, will visit temples 
of worship where manifest distinctions are made between 
them and the more successful in a worldly sense. That is 
not Christianity, and the people know it, and know it now 
more thoroughly than ever before. 

*' The Episcopalians who met on Thursday evening to 
push forward the movement for free churches are there- 
fore proceeding in the right directio?i. But the Gospel must 
not only be free, it must also be genuine. ' The true way 
to spread the Gospel among the masses,' about which they 
talked, is to preach it in earnest, and to show them that 
you are as ready to practice it yourself as you are to ask 
them to do it." Shall Evangelists be sent to them ? 

Bishops and a number of presbyters were anxious to 
answer *' Fifj-," but there was no fund to support one 
Evangelist for more than a few months. " Influential par- 
ishes," who could afford to pay the expenses of a mission, 
practically said : " We have our regular services and do 
not need a mission." " Feeble parishes" said : " We much 
need and desire a mission, but could not raise a dollar 
toward the expenses." The Board of Domestic Missions 
had so much difficulty in obtaining money to support 
the Missionary Bishops, and their few clerical assistants in 



262 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

the far West, that they could not afford to support even 
one Evangelist to preach the Gospel to the Christless mul- 
titudes in eastern towns and cities. Money for this pur- 
pose could not be asked from " The Diocesan Mission" 
fund, fo'r the* treasury was empty. At the time so many 
Bishops were in favor of special evangelistic services, the 
following appeal was published in the Church Journal : 

" Dear Brethren of the Clergy and Laity : It becomes 
my imperative duty to call your immediate attention to the 
mission work of this diocese — not the general Domestic 
Missions of the country, but the missions zvithin the limits of 
this Diocese of New York. Twenty- five missionaries are at 
work — faithfully, earnestly, with much self-denial — in the 
interior of this diocese. . . . The treasury of the missions 
of this diocese is completely exhausted. But the work 
must go on, and the laborer must be paid. ... If there 
are any who will not smile upon this Christian work, then 
let other loving hearts deal with it all the more liberally. 
But there is need of promptness in giving ! God be with 
you and bless you. Your affectionate friend and brother, 
"Horatio Potter, Bishop of New York. 

" New York, March 9th, 1874." 

In November, 1885, the Bishop of Long Island felt con- 
strained to sound aloud the unfilled treasury's dirge trum- 
pet. . . . 

'* But in no regard has the Church's weakness in pushing 
on her missions been so deplorable as in her proved in- 
ability to call out, in any decent measure, her own pecuni- 
ary resources for the work. The wealthiest of all Christian 
bodies in proportion to her numbers, she seems to have had 
less control of her wealth than any other. Time and again 
appeals have been made and measures devised to abate this 



BISHOPS IN FA VOR OF EVANGELISTIC SERVICES. 263 

evil, but thus far with little practical effect. Part of the 
evil is traceable, no doubt, to alack of interest in the cause 
among the mass of churchmen, but quite as much is due 
to the want of system in raising money. The annual re- 
ceipts show how feebly the laity, as a whole, recognize 
their missionary obligations, and they show, too, just as 
plainly, the loose and irregular practice of the great major- 
ity of our parishes. At least one fifth of them, and perhaps 
more, not only give nothing to the cause, but habitually 
neglect to notice the cause itself as imposing upon them 
any duty whatever." 

The Bishops who can unite in the solo dirge, '* an empty 
treasury," could form a financial orchestra to unite in its 
plaintive chorus. Our Missionary Bishops in the far 
West could sound aloud as interludes : " Ye rich Eastern 
churchmen, we are still in financial need ; do, we pray you, 
remember us T' Your grand church music, a ten-thou- 
sand-a-year luxury, cannot drown our cry. Do help2/j'./" 
The Rev. T, W. Haskiiis, of Jubilee, 111., wrote an article 
published in the Churchman of November 4lh, 1886, under 
the title, " The Church a Beggar." He says :" It is no un- 
common thing to hear such and such a bishop character- 
ized as a ' good beggar,' or ' the prince of beggars.* How 
may the continuous dirge cease to annoy ? Come to their 
financial aid in His Name who conujiands^ ' Give, and it 
shall be returned to you in blessings abundant and over- 
flowing.' " 

" Is special evangelistic v/ork needed in New York 
City ?" is answered by the following facts. If all the peo- 
ple should resolve to attend church on any given Sunday, 
two thirds would have to remain outside ; for in the 
churches of all the denominations there is only sufficient 
room for about one third of the population! And while in 
the city are over 500,000 mechanics and w^orkmen living in 



264 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



tenement houses who attend no place of worship, many 
of the city churches are only half filled after attractive sub- 
jects have been advertised in the religious columns of the 
Saturday and Sunday papers ! If disposed to keep holy 
the Sabbath day, they could not pay the high pew rents 
and decently clothe their families ; and many are too proud 
to go to chapels erected by rich parishes or wealthy laymen 
for the poor. They prefer to stay at home, lest their neigh- 
bors conclude that they also are recipients of "chapel alms." 
The City of Churches, Brooklyn, is said to have 40,000 
churchgoers, and 360,000 that do not go to church. Send 
them evangelists ! On a recent pleasant Sunday it was 
found that in Jersey City, containing 100,000 inhabitants, 
'there were only about 7700 persons in attendance at all the 
Protestant places of worship. 

" Are Evangelists needed in New York and vicinity ?" 
Before he was Bishop, the Rev. Hugh Miller Thompson, 
D.D., said : ** Brethren of the Church of God, is there any- 
thing in this world you so much desire as that these multi- 
tudes should be brought to the saving knowledge of 
Christ ? It is certain God wills it. And how dare we, for 
a moment, question the ' expediency ' of immediately en- 
tering upon this work ? 

" Say not, Our doors are open, let these multitudes come 
in ! You know they will not come to the ordinary service, 
so far and so long have they wandered from their Father's 
house. They are spiritually blind ; they cannot find the 
way, and in their blindness they are dying ! Like Lazarus 
at the rich man's gate, these perishing souls are to-day 
asking you for bread — bread for their souls. Shall they 
have it?" 

"Bring all the tithes into mine house, that there may be meat in my house, 
and try me now herewith, saith Jehovah of Hosts, whether I will not 
open for you the wonders of heaven, and pour out a blessing upon 
you till there shall be superabundance.'' 



BISHOPS IN FA VOR OF EVANGELISTIC SERVICES. 2G5 



Then Zion will arise and shine, and her warming glow 
be felt ; her terraces will drop down new wine ; the Gospel 
seed sown will be productive, and the Church harvest be 
joyful. 

To what class of citizens is it the duty of the Episcopal 
Church to minister ? How can the people hear without a 
preacher? Can Bishops send forth Evangelists without a 
fund to support them ? How long before more of the rich 
laity will come to their aid ? Who will speedily obey the 
inspired financial mandate, *' Bring all the tithes," etc.? 



266 THE CHURCH FEVIVED. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

MISSION IN THE HOUSE OF PRAYER, NEWARK, N. J. 

Services Easter Sunday — Christ Denied by Peter — Satan 
Frustrated — Peter s Subsequent Faithfulness —Services Good 
Friday — The Saviour s Last Words — The Brilliant Chancel 
— The Music and Sermon — Service in the Afternoon — Ne7v 
Choristers Vested— Closing Sermon of the Mission — The Risen 
Christ e7ithroned at the right hand of God. 

The Rector of the House of Prayer, Newark, the Rev. H. 
Goodwill^ D.D.^ and the members of the parish guild, had 
done all in their power to prepare for the mission com- 
menced the Sunday next before Easter. A local paper 
reported some of the services : 

" The mission services in the House of Prayer last evening 
were opened by singing a hymn, followed by a brief ser- 
vice, after which the Rev. J. W. Bonham, the Evangelist 
who is conducting the mission, preached an able and fer- 
vent discourse from the words, ' Peter went out and wept 
bitterly.' At the conclusion of the sermon Mr. Bonham de- 
livered a short ' instruction' on the lessons to be learned by 
all Christians from St. Peter's denial of our Lord. He said 
that Peter's tears were symbols of the power of the Holy 
Spirit in developing his character. Satan tempted Peter 
in the hope of obliterating his faith by causing him to fall, 
but God frustrated his design, and after Christ's resurrec- 
tion St. Peter became a power for Christ. In the mirror 
of the Gospel we see him as a man lacking modesty, and 



MISSION IN THE HOUSE OE PRAYER. 267 

planning but not executing ; but in the Acts of the Apostles 
we see him pictured as full of strength, fearlessness and 
efficiency, wise, stable and eloquent, and boldly preaching 
that Christ whom he had thrice denied. The Holy Spirit 
wrought wonders in both quickening and energizing him 
to do aggressive Church work. He then urged his hearers 
to avoid St. Peter's mistake, and to make Christ's cause 
their own, in order that it be known that in sunshine and 
in storm they are not ashamed of Him. He closed with a 
fervent appeal to all present to return to the Lord at once. 
Rev. Mr. Goodwin then made an earnest address, urging 
the congregation to interest themselves actively in the work 
of the mission, and to do all in their power to induce others 
to attend the services. On Good FtHday a three-hours' 
service was held. The Rector made short addresses on 
the Saviour's last words when dviner. 

"Large congregations attended all the services during 
the week. On Easter Sunday the Holy Communion was 
celebrated at 6, 7.30 and 10.30 a.m. The church was so 
densely crowded that it was difficult for the missioner to 
reach the pulpit, which was outside of the chancel. The 
pews and benches in the side aisles were all filled, and a num- 
ber of persons w^ere compelled to stand during the entire 
service. The services began with the 'Processional,' <he 
choir and clerg3''man entering the rear door and passing up 
the middle aisle, singing, * Christ is Risen today, AUe 
luia.' As the service progressed the following music was 
finely rendered : Anthem, ' Christ our Passover,' Chapell ; 
Te Deum, Whitfield ; Jubilate, Bridgewater ; Anthem, 
' I Waited for the Lord,' Mendelssohn ; Hymn, ' He is 
Risen.' The remainder of the service was by Barnby, in 
E, including the Nicene Creed. The chancel was a blaze 
of light, there being a large number of candles. The two 
new dorsels of blue and gold, filled with lighted candles, 



268 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

made a very impressive effect. The whole altar seemed 
one mass of flowers and lights, and the effect was very fine. 
Rev. Mr. Bonham preached an eloquent discourse on the 
resurrection of Christ, based on Rev. i : 17, 18. The 
preacher gave a very graphic description of St. John's 
vision, compared in an able manner Christ and Adam, and 
called them the hinges on which the world moves. The 
floral decorations were very chaste and in excellent taste, 
consisting of an elegant cross of white flowers on the 
reredos, several bouquets on the altar, a handsome 
memorial floral cross on the pulpit, and one at one of the 
windows in the south aisle. The font was filled with 
calla lilies and other choice flowers in pots, with a large 
cross of immortelles rising from the centre, the gift of a 
family in the church in memory of their departed mother. 
The altar was brilliantly lighted up with a large number 
of candles, which cast a soft light oh the white hangings 
behind the altar. 

"At the Litany service in the afternoon the Rector 
preached an able sermon from the words : * Woman, 
why weepest thou?' Immediately after the Magnificat 
two boys were admitted to the choir. The candidates 
knelt on the steps of the chancel vested in cassocks. Their 
sufplices were taken from the altar by one of the acolytes 
and handed to the priest, who placed them on the boys. 
After singing appropriate versicles the new choristers were 
conducted to their stalls. In the evening the church was 
again crowded, and a portion of the morning's music was 
repeated. Rev. Mr. Bonham preached the closing sermon 
of the mission, from the words, ' Looking unto Jesus, the 
Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the jo}'' that was 
set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, 
and is now set down at the right hand of God." 



MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY. 269 



CHAPTER IX. 

MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY. 

Forenoon Bible Readings — Afternoon Services for Women only 
— Eve?nng Services in the Church — Large Class Confirmed — 
The Rev. W, S. Rainsford, of England — The Gospel Tent — 
Good Results. 

The Rev. S. H. Tyng, Jr., D.D., Rector of the Church 
of the Holy Trinity, New York, desired special services, 
but knew of no Rector who could render him assistance. 
He kindly said : " Should it injure the author, as a mis- 
sioner, to hold a mission in the Church of the Holy 
Trinity, in view of its evangelical character, he would not 
press his invitation." He concluded to help him " in the 
name of the Lord, should he not be invited to hold any 
other mission." When it was known that he was doing 
so, a dear clerical brother kindly wrote : " What will 
become of you as a missioner, now it is known that you 
are holding a mission in the Church of the Holy Trinity ?'' 
He soon received the reply: " When the time shall come 
that he can hold no more missions he will then be able to 
decide ;" and added: "If he could glorify his Master by 
so doing, he would preach Christ at the mouth of a 
place whose name it would not be polite to specify." 

The Church JournaV s r^^^oxX. : 

** The mission in the Church of the Holy Trinity, Madi- 
son Avenue and Forty-second Street, commenced Sunday, 
April 4th, was one of unusual interest. Though an- 



270 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

nounced to continue but one week, it was continued four 
weeks, and at its close the interest was greater than at 
any previous time. 

" The 9 A.M. meeting for inquirers and Bible instruction 
was conducted by the Rector of the parish. Morning after 
morning for over four weeks a large number assembled, 
and as the services drew to a close additional seats were 
needed, and some listened standing in the chapel en- 
trance." 

K\\ present were supplied with Bibles, and the exposi- 
tions given were profitable and soul-inspiring, and resulted 
in growth in grace and increased knowledge of the trulh, 

" The afternoon Bible-readings for women only were by 
two Church of England Bible-women. Readings were also 
given by the wife of the Evangelist. A great interest was 
awakened, and a fresh impetus given to woman's work for 
Christ. Many ladies in the region have ample time to 
spare and ability to work for Christ, and a number have 
resolved to thus use it. 

" The evening mission service was held in the capacious 
church. At the week-night services a goodly number 
were present, and at the last more than on any previous 
occasion. The mission sermons were preached by the Rev. 
J. W. Bonham. The instruction was given by the Rector 
of the parish, who also, with the skill of a Church of Eng- 
land missioner, ably conducted the after-meetings. At 
nearly every service some decided to accept the salvation 
that is in Christ Jesus, and some who for years had rejected 
Him were by the Holy Ghost bowed down to receive Him. 

" During the mission, on week evenings, after the litur- 
gical service, the Rector and members of the class for con- 
firmation went from the church to the chapel. While the 
missioner was preaching in the church the Rector in the 
chapel was giving faithful instruction respecting the quali- 



MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY. 271 

fications for the solemn rite of confirmation. In obedience 
to a signal that the sermon had ended, they returned to the 
church, and after a hymn the Rector gave an instruction 
based on the special topic of the sermon, as if he had heard 
it ! 

" During the mission, the assistant minister, the Rev. 
C. H. Kettell, took part in the services. After one of the 
sermons, the Rev. Dr. Curry, of Philadelphia, made an 
effective address. To further the work of the mission, the 
members of the House of the Evangelists were all kept 
busy. 

" On the first three Sunday evenings of the mission 
period the sermons were preached by the Rector of the 
parish to between two thousand and three thousand per- 
sons. At two of the after-meetings between five hundred 
and six hundred persons remained. On the fourth Sunday 
the mission closed. At the morning service, after a ser- 
mon by the Rector on ' Assurance of Salvation,' about one 
thousand persons received the Holy Communion. 

" The anniversary of the Sunday-schools connected with 
the parish church and its mission chapels was held in the 
afternoon. Over two thousand seven hundred children 
connected with the schools, with the rector, superintend- 
ents, teachers and children, seemed very, very happy, and 
lustily sang : ' Oh, that will be joyful, when we meet to 
part no more ! ' '' 

At the service in the evening over two thousand persons 
were present. To encourage those who were afraid to 
emulate Archbishops, Bishops, and eminent clergy and 
laity of the Church of England, instead of preaching a 
sermon, the missioner closed the Thirty Days' Mission by 
delivering a lecture on " The Great Revival in the Church 
of England." In alluding to the after-meetings he said 
that " during the Four Weeks' Mission the Rector had not 



272 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

reached the mission limits which Archbishops and Bishops 
of the Church of England sanction. At the close of the 
lecture the Rector gave a sketch of the origin, continu- 
ance and success of the mission in the Church of the Holy 
Trinity. Though the interest was still great, the strength 
of the Rector and Evangelist would not allow them to 
continue the mission longer. 

After the service a son of ex-Mayor Havemeyer of- 
fered to pay for printing the lecture, that it might be freely 
sent to each clergyman of our Church in the United States. 
This liberal offer from a " Presbyterian " was accepted. 
The lecture was printed and sent, as he desired. 

The Sunday evening after the mission one hundred 
and six persons were con firmed. The venerable and highly 
esteemed Bishop Horatio Potter, and the father of the 
Rector, the Rev. S. H. Tyng, D. D., Rector of St. George's 
Church, delivered interesting addresses. The congrega- 
tion completely filled the church, and the service was one 
of unusual interest. The interest awakened by the mission 
was not allowed to subside.* The present efficient Rector 
of St. George's Church, w^ho had been so useful in England, 
crossed the ocean to follow up the mission, and awakened 
still greater interest. Whenever he preached in the Church 
of the Holy Trinity persons from different parts of the city 
were among the crowded congregations. The large Gospel 
tent, where he preached for several successive weeks, was 
too small to contain all the people who were anxious to be 
benefited by his earnest Gospel sermons. His expository 
mode of preaching induced the people to use the Bible at 
the services. As he announced the proof-texts of his topic 



* A sketch of this mission was published in a volume entitled 
" Evangelists of the Church, from Philip, the Deacon, to Moody & 
Sankey." 



MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE HOI Y TRINITY. 273 

old women were among those present who turned to pas- 
sage after passage ; and, as they both heard and saw what 
the Lord had spoken, a double impression was made 
through the two combined senses. Later, he held the first 
parochial mission in the Church of the Holy Trinity, Har- 
lem, and before his return to England held a mission in 
Louisville, Kentucky ; London, Huron, and in Toronto, 
Canada. An account of the great interest his missions 
awakened in Canada may be found in " The Church Re- 
vived," Part HL Missioner Aitken desired his able assist- 
ance in England, but he was induced to settle in America. 
His zeal as a missioner, and efficiency as the Rector of 
St. George's church. New York City, are well known, for 
the church is now crowded as in days that have passed. 



274 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER X. 

MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION, BROOKLYN. 

The Bishop's Pastoral — The Rector s Programme — Gefieral 
Report — Results of the Mission. 

Years ago the earnest Bishop of Long Island was deeply 
interested in Parochial Missions. Before the mission in 
the Church of tlie Ascension commenced he wrote the 
following earnest and affectionate Pastoral : 

Dear Brethren : It is proposed, with the help of the 
Lord, to have a mission in the Church of the Ascension, 
Greenpoint, commencing Sunday, January 3d, and con- 
tinuing eight days. 

A mission consists of a series of services, with frequent 
communion, and opportunities for prayer, and heart-stir- 
ring sermons, intended *' to subdue and deepen, and con- 
vert hearts that have become hard or shallow, or divided by 
the lusts of the flesh, or the wiles of Satan, or the cares of 
this world, and to nourish the sincere heart, that it may 
bring forth much fruit." It is " to call upon God the 
Holy Ghost to revive His work ; to convert the ungodly 
and formal ; to convince of sin and unbelief ; and to turn 
sinners from dead works to the service of the living God." 

" Its one aim is to bring souls one by one to the point of 
accepting the gift of everlasting life." 

It is only God's power that can do this. " Draw nigh 
unto God and He will draw nigh unto you." Let us draw 



MISSION IlSr THE CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION. 275 



nigh, brethren, with faith to plead for ourselves and others 
— our children, or parents, or husband, brother or sister, 
wife or friend, and He will answer : " Go thy way, thy son 
liveth ;" " Thy daughter is made whole from this very 
hour ;" " Thy sins be forgiven thee ;" " Go in peace, thy 
faith hath saved thee ;" " Neither do I condemn thee, go 
and sin no more." Think not to do this without God's 
help. " There is salvation in no other ;" " There is none 
other Name under heaven given among men whereby we 
can be saved." An Evangelist is coming among us in 
the Name of the Lord to urge us " to repentance and to do 
works meet for repentance." I ask you, dear brethren, for 
Him and for myself, " to come up to the help of the Lord, 
to the help of the Lord against the mighty," for the ac- 
complishment of this one object — the gift of the Holy 
Ghost to those who have gone astray in the wilderness of 
the world, that the House of God may be to them, as it is 
to us, the House of prayer for all people. I plead, there- 
fore, with you, to help with all your power in this great 
undertaking. Come to the mission yourself, not once only, 
but regularly, even at the cost of inconvenience. Bring 
others ; compel them by your wise and loving entreaties. 
If you come others will, and there is a mysterious strength 
and comfort in numbers. If you stay away you will 
discourage others and hinder the work of the Lord. Give 
yourself to prayer, and self-examination, and reading the 
Scriptures, and in seeking out others and bringing them 
to the House of God. Ask God to help you. *' Him that 
cometh unto Me I will in no wise cast out." If there be 
no inclination to come or to pray or to help, perhaps the 
suggestions of Satan, the cares of the world, or the lusts 
of self-indulgence stand in the way. " Resist the Devil 
and he will flee from you." Ask God's help and guid- 
ance. He will help you. Ask yourself, " What can I do 



276 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

for God ?" Read these leaflets which I send you, and 
circulate them among all you can reach. Let every soul 
be a missionary for God. Use the Collects for the Third 
Sunday in Advent, Whitsun Day, St. Peter's Day, St. John 
the Baptist's Da}-, the Conversion of St. Paul, the First 
Sunday in Lent, and the Twenty-fifth Sunday after 
Trinity. Are you prevented by sickness, or the care of the 
sick, from taking an active part in the mission ? You can 
pray. " The effectual fervent prayer of the righteous 
availeth much." Do you know of any parents whose chil- 
dren you can care for while they attend some of the mis- 
sion services ? Here is an opportunity for self-denial. 
Read in the Scriptures to them, how Moses prayed, and 
Elijah, and David, and Solomon, and Job, and Daniel, 
and our Blessed Lord, and Stephen and Paul ; and how 
Jesus in the Revelation of St. John says : " I Jesus have 
sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the 
churches. I am the Root and Offspring of David, and 
the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the 
Bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say. Come. 
And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let 
him take the water of life freely." 

Affectionately your friend and Bishop, 

A. Newkirk Littlejohn, 
Bishop of Long Island. 

Through the press and in other ways, the Rector notified 
the large number of mechanics and the residents in the 
vicinity, that a special evangelistic effort would be made 
for their spiritual welfare, and earnestly prayed : " That 
in the last day, when Christ shall appear in His glorious 
majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, they may 
rise to the life immortal, through Jesus Christ our Lord." 

The Rector's invitation : 



MISSION IJV THE CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION. 211 



COME TO THE MISSION! 
^ 

The Rev. J. W. Bonham, 

CHURCH EVANGELIST, 

Will commence a Mission, to continue eight days, in the 

Church of the Ascension, 

GREENPOINT, 
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH. 



Order of Services. 

Sundays. — Holy Communion, 7 a.m. 

Morning Prayer, 9 A.M. 

Litany and Sermon, 10.30 A.M. 

Holy Communion, Second Celebration, .... 12 M. 

Evening Prayer and Short Sermon to Children, . 4 P.M. 

Mission Sermon, . 7.30 p.m. 

After the Sermon an Instruction, 8.30 p.m. 

Daily Services. 

Holy Communion, 7 a.m. 

Litany, 12 M. 

Evening Prayer and Instruction, 4 p.m. 

Mission Sermon, 7.30 p.m. 

After the Sermon an Instruction, 8.30 p.m. 

In the intervals between these services, after 12 o'clock, the 
Clergy engaged in the Mission will welcome in private all Vv^ho 
may seek guidance or counsel, or who are disquieted by the 
bruise of sin, or troubled by grief of soul over misspent years 
and neglected opportunities of grace. 

A MISSION 
is a special call from God to the unconverted. Jonah preached 
a Mission to the people of Nineveh, and that great city was 
saved ; John the Baptist preached a Mission to the Jews, and 
many pressed into the Kingdom of Heaven. 

COME TO THE MISSION! 

"The Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And let him that 
heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And 
whoever will, let him take the water of life freely." — Rev. 
22 : 17. 

Rev. Thomas W. Raskins, Rector. 



278 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

DESCRIPTION OF THE MISSION AT GREENPOINT.* 

An Eight Days' Mission, under the direction of the Rev. 
Mr. Bonham, the Evangelist, and the Rector of the parish 
(the Rev. Mr. Haslcins), was begun in the Church of the 
Ascension, on Sunday, the 15th of November. 

The Rector had taken pains to prepare the people of 
Greenpoint for these special services by issuing circulars 
of invitation to ** Come to the Mission," and by posting 
notices of the services in all parts of the city. A pastoral 
letter from himself, with one from the Bishop, was circu- 
lated throughout the parish, and no means were left untried 
to impress on the minds of the congregation the fact that 
a special call from God was made for them to devote the 
week to earnest prayer, and attendance on public worship, 
for the conversion of souls and the quickening of the 
spiritual life of the parish. 

The services have been marked by deep seriousness, and 
the congregations steadily increased from the beginning. 
They have attracted much attention, and have excited a 
deal of interest, not only among the clergy and members 
of the church, but in the people of every shade of religious 
opinion and practice. At the 10.30 and 7.30 services on 
Sunday the Rev. Mr. Bonham gave a very vivid descrip- 
tion of the great London Mission, and thus enabled the 
congregation to arrive at a very faithful conception of the 
magnitude and character of the work in England. The 
Rev. Mr. Bonham also preached on Monday evening on 
''Peter went out and wept bitterly^'' addressing himself to 
timid people who follow the Lord under a sort of protest, 
because their friends or parents do so, but who are afraid 
to acknowledge Christ before the world or among their 

* From a local paper. 



MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION. 279 

intimate associates. This was followed by a short, earnest 
instruction by the Rector. The Tuesday evening sermon 
was on St. Paul's discourse before Felix, and that of Wed- 
nesday evening on " The Foreshadows of Future Retribu- 
tion." These sermons are entirely destitute of all sensa- 
tionalism, but apply the great truths of the Gospel in such 
a way as to arrest the attention of the most careless, and to 
incite to deeper spiritual life those who have grown cold 
and worldly in the Christian profession. The Rev. 
Messrs. Spencer, Chadwell, Short, Clapp and Middleton 
were present at services on Thursday. The Evangelist 
preached on Christ knocking for admission at the sinner's 
bolted heart, who is excluded by sin and worldliness ; and 
that He knocks by prosperity and adversity. The instruc- 
tion that followed the sermon contrasted the frustrated 
builders of the tower of Babel with those who reach 
heaven by the appointed means of grace. 

At the four o'clock services the instruction had been of a 
very familiar kind — the inculcation of practical, holy living, 
and conducted by the Rector, and, on two occasions, by 
the Rev. I. C. Middleton, S.T.D., of Glen Cove. 

In the intervals between the daily services the clergy 
were present in the church to meet in private any persons 
seeking counsel or guidance, or those who were troubled 
in conscience on account of sin. 

It is not time yet to speak of results.- The aim has been 
to do the work faithfully, and leave the issues to God. Yet 
even thus early good results are seen in the newly- 
awakened life in the parish, in the constant accessions of 
numbers to the Holy Communion and other services, in the 
attendance of the Bishop and other clergy from different 
parts of the diocese, in the reclamation of fallen communi- 
cants, and in the acceptance by sinners of the way of salva- 
tion. 



280 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

The thanks of his brethren are certainly due to the Rev. 
Mr. Haskins for starting out alone, and. as it were, single- 
handed, in this important work, beginning in faith that 
God would supply all the requisite means, and would 
crown the labor of love with His blessing. Let us all be 
willing thus to move, and be thoroughly in earnest, and no 
doubt the might of the invincible Godhead will be given 
us, and the Holy Ghost be largely outpoured on our 
parishes, while heaven and earth will rejoice together over 
many a sinner saved from eternal destruction. M. 

THE MISSION AT GREENPOINT.* 

The Eight Days' Mission in the Church of the Ascension 
was one of great interest. At several of the fifty services 
held a goodly number of clergymen from New York and 
Brooklyn were present, some in the chancel and others in 
the congregation. During the mission the Evangelist, the 
Rev. J. W. Bonham, preached ten times, and was efficiently 
aided at all the services by the indefatigable Rector, the 
Rev. T. W. Haskins, who gave most of the " instructions" 
at the 4 o'clock services and at the services following the 
evening mission sermon. The Bishop of the diocese was 
present as often as his other engagements permitted, and 
his " Pastoral" and presence, earnest words of encourage- 
ment and exhortation, added greatly to the influence of the 
mission. His powerful address showed that he has mas- 
tered the subject of '* Parochial Missions," realizes their 
vast importance, and believes that the concentration of 
Church power hereby manifested will be productive of 
special good to parishes, as well as exert an interest for 
the Church in those who have long remained without her 
pale. 

* A report in the Church Journal and Messenger. 



MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION. 281 

The progress of the mission was published daily in the 
Brooklyn Fost^ and showed that the proceedings were 
characterized by profound interest throughout, and the 
attendance large beyond anticipation. The services were 
marked by a profound quiet and religious fervor. There 
was a communion of the individual soul with God. but no 
excitement. The sermons by the Evangelist, and the " in- 
structions " by the Rector, were listened to with deep atten- 
tion. The Post says : " The Evangelist's sermons are free 
from all sensational appeals, noise and bluster. The only 
sword is * the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of 
God.' The effect upon the hearer is not one of physical 
excitement, but of conviction that what the preacher says 
is true,'' 

The mission, commenced -with earnest prayer and humble 
dependence on Almighty God, closed with heartfelt thanks- 
giving. For God's manifested presence a special thanksgiv- 
ing service, with Holy Communion, was held on Monday, 
at 10.30 A.M. Deeply impressive were the touching words 
of farewell spoken by the Rector of the parish to the Evange- 
list. The mission has been as a gentle rain upon seed 
sown in the spring-time. The rain sinks into the earth, 
but the seeds take root downward and bear fruit upward. 
It remains for the people of the parish to make it a per- 
petual mission. Why should not Christians, if they value 
their own privileges, spend their energies in extending 
them to others ? 

The Rector announced special services for the class for 
Confirmation, and that the Bishop would administer the 
holy rite on Sunday evening, 29th instant. 

FROM THE CHURCH JOURNAL. 

" Please allow me, through your columns, to thank those 
of the clergy and laity who, during the progress of the 



282 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

mission in the Church of the Ascension, have aided and en- 
couraged the work by cheering words and helpful aid. I 
trust all such aid is, as I know the mission has been, not 
in vain in the Lord. Seed sown has been watered ; new 
agencies originated ; sluggish life aroused ; faint hearts 
encouraged ; the fallen raised ; the steadfast strengthened. 
The world may deride and the devils jeer, but we believe 
the angels rejoice, as do man}?- struggling saints here. 

" On Sunday evening, November 29th, Bishop Littlejohn 
confirmed thirty-two persons, and set apart one of the 
number as a lay reader for work in the parish. 

"It is not to be inferred that such agencies as * missions ' 
are needed in all places, and under all circumstances ; the 
prerequisites in needs, conditions, field, agencies, must 
exist ; then, rightly directed and subsequently nurtured, 
they^ become, I am convinced, under the disciplinary guards 
ana power of the Church, powerful instruments in further- 
ing the common cause. 

" I have made daily notes of the work, which I may at 
some time fill out for the use of any who may desire to 
enter upon a similar effort. 

" Faithfully yours, 

" Thomas W. Kaskins." 

results of the mission at greenpoint. 

The Church of the Ascension, Greenpoint, located in 
one of the wards of the city of Brooklyn, contains about 
30,000 inhabitants, and the Church of the Ascension is 
the only Episcopal church in the ward. The church edi- 
fice was erected in the years 1866-67. It has a chapel ad- 
joining. Few churches anywhere make a more favorable 
impression upon the mind as one enters the church than this. 

The present incumbent, the Rev. Thomas W. Haskins, 
became Rector about one year ago. He found dissension 



MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION. 283 

and trouble in the parish. The revenue from pew-rents 
did not meet the necessities of the church. To make up 
the deficiencies, fairs, entertainments, and other worldly 
expedients were resorted to. The Rector " changed all 
this," and relied upon the offertory alone to meet defi- 
ciencies, with satisfactory results ; yet there seemed to be 
a want of activity and spiritual life in the parish. To 
remedy this evil he determined to hold an Eight-Day Mis- 
sion. For this purpose he engaged the Rev. James W. 
Bonham, the Evangelist, to conduct it on the English plan. 
Mr. Bonham came and commenced the work on the Twenty- 
fifth Sunday after Trinity. 

About half an hour before the services commenced, 
every week-night, the Rector, several of the clergy and 
laity accompanying him, went about three quarters of a 
mile from the church, in front of a store (with the permis- 
sion of the occupants), and sang a hymn. Immediately 
a large crowd assembled. After singing the hymn the 
Rector, or some of the others (usually the Rector), ad- 
dressed a few earnest words to the people assembled 
relative to their souls' salvation, and concluded by invit- 
ing them to attend the services in Ascension Church, Kent 
Street. Then some tracts and the order of services were 
distributed, and apparently received gladly. The people 
were very attentive and respectful, many of whom came 
to the church. 

The sermons were churchly, while at the same time the 
people were earnestly called to repentance. After each 
sermon the Rector made a few pertinent and effective re- 
marks. 

Let it here be added, nothing was done for mere effect. 
There was no undue excitement likely to produce reaction. 
Everything was done quietly and in an orderly manner. 

The effect of these night services was evidently salutary, 



284 THE CHURCH REVrVED. 

not only to the people assembled, but to the entire parish. 
Several of the laymen disapproved of the movement at 
first, but afterward announced themselves thorough con- 
verts. The night congregations in church from day to day 
were increasingly large, except, perhaps, on Saturday night. 
The question will be asked, *' What have been the 
results ?" They are, thus far, as follows : 

1. Renewed church life, and higher spiritual tone in the 
parish. 

2. The organization of one more Sunday-school in the 
parish certainly (I believe two), with fair prospects of 
success. 

3. A chapel in the distant part of the parish, sustained by 
one of the vestrymen, and under the immediate charge of 
a lay reader. 

4. One lady of the parish offers her residence to be con- 
verted into a " Home for Aged Females." 

5. Several persons were induced to renew the vows that 
they themselves had taken, or their sponsors had taken for 
them, in Baptisfn, by the quickening influence of this 
mission. 

6. There is hereafter to be a weekly celebration of the 
Holy Eucharist, and the Litany is to be said at noon daily 
throughout the year. 

On Sunday evening, November 29th, the Bishop of the 
diocese made a special visitation to the parish, preached, 
and confirmed thirty-two persons. He then licensed Mr. 
Ball, a member of the parish, as lay reader, to assist the 
Rector in this parish. 

The church was crowded. Benches were brought in, and 
many persons were obliged to stand. Although the ser- 
vices commenced at 7.30 p.m. and did not close until after 
10, yet not a person left. By this you may judge of the 
deep interest taken by the people in the services. 



MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION, 285 

Bishop Littlejohii was present on at least two other oc- 
casions, and made an address at each. He expressed him- 
self, both publicly and in private, as highly delighted at 
the result thus far of the mission. H. C. S. 

THE BISHOP ONE OF THE PIONEER EVANGELISTS. 

The Rt. Rev. A. N. Littlejohn, D.D., LL.D., Bishop of 
Long Island, years before the term " mission* ' was adopted, 
like the Rev. Robert Aitken, of England, the eloquent 
father of his eloquent son, missioner Aitken, held services 
which were analogous to a Parochial Mission, but called 
by a name without ' ' the fragrance of St. Peter' s in Rome. ' ' 
His interest in revival work runs parallel with his fervent 
and efficient ministry. In the spring of 1857, when Rector 
of St. Paul's Church, N. H., and the term mission was 
not used in the Church of England, nor in the Episcopal 
Church in America, he conducted a series of parish re- 
vival services which lasted over three weeks. Public ser- 
vices were held twice daily, and an earnest Gospel ser- 
mon was preached every day. The services were com- 
menced in the lecture-room, but the growing interest ren- 
dered it necessary to occupy the church, which had seats 
for nearly twelve hundred persons ; )''et night after night 
it was crowded. The Rector of St. Paul's in New Haven 
was called "a Methodist in disguise," who was "out of 
place." Yet, as a result of the special services, {a) one 
hundred and eighty persons were confirmed ; {p) eighty souls 
who had wandered off or grown indifferent were recovered ; 
(r) about two hundred persons were added to the communion 
list of the parish ; (^) among them were several students of 
Yale College ; {e) three of them subsequently entered the 
ministry of our Church. Reports of this new departure from 
our Church's quiet ways excited much comment in the 
immediate vicinity, also in the surrounding region. 



286 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

Bishop Littlejohn's interest in revival services, under 
the steadying influence of our canons and rubrics, was 
manifested by his fervid Pastoral urging the people to avail 
themselves of the privileges of the mission in the Church 
of the Ascension, Greenpoint, and adopted by the Bishop 
of Alabama as a prelude of the mission in Mobile. 

At a later period similar evangelistic services were held 
in Philadelphia, in St. Paul's Church, Grace Church, the 
Church of the Epiphany, and other Episcopal churches, and 
good results were permanent. Through God's blessing 
many were confirmed, and joyfully sang : 

" Lord, with glowing heart I'd praise Thee 
For the bliss Thy love bestows ; 
For the pardoning grace that saves me, 
And the peace that from it flows. 

" Praise, my soul, the God that sought thee, 
Wretched wanderer, far astray, 
Found thee lost, and kindly brought thee 
From the paths of death away. 

" Let Thy grace, my soul's chief treasure, 
Love's pure flame within me raise ; 
And, since words can never measure, 
Let my life show forth Thy praise," 



THE HOUSE OF LA V EVANGELISTS. 287 



CHAPTER XL 

THE HOUSE OF LAY EVANGELISTS. 

Its Specific Design — Open- Air Services — Report of the Head of 
the House — Sitnimary of Six Months^ Work — Mission in the 
Gospel Tent., New York. 

The Rector and trustees of the Church of the Holy- 
Trinity, New York, resolved to make an effort to train 
" men for the masses," and were moved to do so because : 

(a) Our established theological seminaries cannot supply 
them — vacant churches, Western mission stations, colleges, 
and schools exhaust every graduating class. An insignifi- 
cant few accept each year the foreign field. The thou- 
sands in our home communities are absolutely unpro- 
vided for. Even could these seminaries provide enough 
men they would not be of the right sort. It does not in 
the least reflect upon the course of study or discipline in 
these noble institutions to make this statement. They do 
their work admirably. Never was the ministerial standard 
higher in the Church of America than it is to-day. But 
the students in our seminaries are all looking' forward to 
the established pastoral work. 

{/}) The dream of each has a quiet country church and par- 
sonage as its central object. The training of all has refer- 
ence to efficiency in this defined sphere. The tendency of 
seminary life is to educate the tastes and habits of the 
young man beyond the compensation which city mission- 
aries can expect. They often come — we say it with shame 
— to regard mission work as inferior in opportunity and 



288 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



position. If they should accept this field of ministry their 
motive would be compassion rather than honest Christian 
brotherhood. 

[c] The multitudes unevangelized will never be reached 
effectively so long as the Church clings to this exclusive 
work of training. The community will grow faster in 
godlessness. It may seem as though the Gospel was really 
having free course ; but what are a few crowded churches 
to the vast population of our cities ! Until Christians are 
awake to the actual facts there can be little improvement 
in the habits of the lower classes. 

(d) In 1870 an act of incorporation was secured, and 
the specific object of the House .is contained in its charter 
— viz. : " The reception, boarding, education, and em- 
ployment of suitable persons as missionaries of the Gos- 
pel." In 1872 the third section of its charter was amended, 
giving the corporation the privilege of owning property 
not exceeding $500,000. 

(^) The primary object of the House is to furnish the 
Church with a body of skilled lay and clerical missionaries 
to the masses. In the department of instruction, while 
those who may desire to read the Scriptures in the orig- 
inal will be instructed in Greek and Hebrew, the Eng- 
lish Bible will still be the chief text-book. In view of the 
gross materialism and positive indifferentism of many of 
the neglected, practical theology takes the place of polem- 
ical or dogmatical. 

[f) The members of the House, in connection with their 
daily studies, will have practical experimental training in 
actual mission work, conducting mission services, Sunday- 
schools, and will also visit the neglected at their homes ; 
for in the city of New York about five hundred thousand 
mechanics live in tenement-houses, many of whom attend 
no place of worship. 



THE HOUSE OF LAY EVANGELISTS. 289 

As the head of the House of the Evangelists, the Rev. Dr. 
Leacock, had resigned, the Rev. J. W. Bonham was urged 
to accept the position for a season, and he did so, but 
was unable to attend to his duties and at the same time 
hold missions at a distance. 

REPORT OF THE HEAD OF THE HOUSE. 

To the Trustees of the House of the Evangelists : 

The head of the House respectfully reports that the 
domestic management of the House has been in accordance 
with the wishes of the trustees. The printed regulations 
have been carried out, and the House is in order and 
harmony. 

The course of study has embraced instruction in Biblical 
interpretation^ systematic theology., sacred rhetoric, and elocu- 
tion. The principal text-book has been the Bible, and as a 
basis for correct exegesis, the students have committed to 
memory assigned Psalms, prophecies, parables, portions 
of the Harmony of the Gospels, and the proof texts of 
doctrines. They have also written paraphrases and exposi- 
tions of the Scriptures interpreted, and also numerous 
essays on topics appropriate to their special work. In 
addition to the regular studies the training has been prac- 
tical. 

That the members of the House may be efficient in future 
years, they have been daily engaged in actual work, and 
have labored with commendable zeal. During part of the 
year 1875 service was rendered at Camp Chapel., in Eliza- 
beth Street ; at the Chapel of the Alliance., in Sixty- eighth 
Street ; at the Colored Mission., Twenty-sixth Street ; at 
XS\Q Men' s Lodging House., in Spring Street; and occasional 
services in other places. In accordance with the desire of 
the trustees, printed in the last annual report, several 



290 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

months ago the force of the House was concentrated on 
the Stanton Street mission. 

The centre of this mission is the memorable Church of 
the Epiphany, within whose walls the Rev. Lot Jones, 
D.D., labored long and faithfully, until he suddenly heard 
the voice : 

" Spirit ! leave thy house of clay ; 

Lingering dust ! resign thy breath ; 
Spirit ! cast thy chains away ; 

Dust ! be thou dissolved in death ! 
Thus the mighty Saviour speaks 

When the faithful Christian dies ; 
Thus the bonds of life He breaks, 

And the ransomed captive flies." 

That the House of the Evangelists might have a more 
extensive field of labor, Stewart Brown, Esq., the liberal 
donor of the Church of the Reformation in Fiftieth Street, 
consented that this property be exchanged for the Church 
of the Epiphany, in Stanton Street. But as there was also 
an exchange of names, the old Epiphany is now called 
the " Church of the Reformation." The following sketch 
of a week's ordinary work will give a specimen of what is, 
done weekly : On Sunday morning, at 8 o'clock, the students 
attend the prayer-meeting for Christian workers, to implore 
God's blessing on the labors of the day. At 9 a.m. they 
teach in the Sunday-school, which is superintended by 
B. C. Wetmore, Esq , and the average attendance, 500. At 
10.30 A.M. the students attend the regular service in the 
church, and in turn read the lessons. At 2,30 p.m. they 
attend the children's church, which numbers nearly 700, 
and co-operate with the superintendent. At 3.30 p.m. they 
attend the Teachers' Bible Class, led by the superintendent, 
and carefully study the lesson for the coming Sunday. At 
7.30 p.m. they attend service in the church, and after full 
evening prayers they make brief addresses. 



OP EN' AIR SERVICES. 291 

On Monday evening a member of the House conducts a 
boys' prayer-meeting in the basement of the church. On 
the same evening others attend the prayer-meeting for men 
at 29 Stanton Street. On Tuesday evening, at the same 
place, a member of the House conducts a topical Bible 
class. On Wednesday evening, at 8 o'clock, the students 
attend the men's prayer-meeting, which is held at the same 
place. On Thursday evening they are present at the Board 
of Workers, who report labors performed, and receive 
friendly suggestions how to increase their efficiency. Every 
Friday evening they attend the general prayer-meeting 
held in the church. On Saturday evening Mr. McKenzie, 
who has charge of the music of the church, conducts the 
rehearsal. On Sunday afternoons, during the summer, 
the members of the House hold open-air services. 

The following, from the Church Journal^ will give an 
idea of their nature : 

The street services alluded to in the Journal two weeks 
ago are increasing in numbers and in interest. On Sun- 
day afternoon, August 8th, services were inaugurated at 
several new centres. The mode of procedure was as fol- 
lows : the Rev. J. W. Bonham and the students of the 
House of the Evangelists met at an appointed place at 
4 o'clock P.M. They then proceeded to the centre of 
the intersection of Second and Houston streets in Avenue 
B. The singing soon attracted an audience, and after the 
reading of the Scriptures and prayer, and the singing of 
another hymn, and a short address by Mr. Bonham, he ap- 
pointed Mr. Armstrong, one of the lay evangelists, to con- 
duct the service at this point, and deliver an address. Mr. 
Bonham and the other workers then went to the corner of 
Sheriff and Stanton streets, and secured an audience as at 
the place last mentioned, and left the Rev. Mr. Duganne 
to deliver the address and close the service. As soon as 



292 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

he had commenced the other workers proceeded to the 
corner of Willett and Stanton streets, pursued a similar 
course to secure an audience, and left Mr. McKensie, a lay- 
evangelist, to address them. The other spearkers at once 
proceeded to the corner of Ridge and Stanton streets, and 
after an audience had been secured, as at the other places, 
two addresses were delivered. The next place visited was 
Ridge Street, betvv'een Stanton and Houston streets, where 
addresses were delivered by Messrs. Bonham, Munroe, and 
McKersie. 

As the services are held under the sanction of the Mayor 
of the city, the speakers are entitled to protection, and the 
Mayor has written a mandate to this effect to the chief of 
the police. But on Sunday no police were applied for, 
and none were needed. The assemblies at the different 
places described were orderly and attentive. From some 
of the centres many who are unable to pay pew rent heard 
the message of God's love, and the poor had the Gospel 
preached unto them through obedience to the mandate, 
" Go into the streets." In addition to those assembled 
around the speakers, many listened from their tenement- 
houses seven or eight stories in height. At the service 
last mentioned, the numerous heads at their windows re- 
sembled the people in galleries, towering tier above tier. 
Many seemed deeply interested, and at the close of some 
of the services children stretched forth their little hands to 
shake hands with the speakers. 

During the continuance of the services described in con- 
nection with the Stanton Street Mission, two others were 
held under the direction of Mr. Wetmore — one in the square 
at Suffolk and Houston streets, the other at the corner of 
Houston Street and Second Avenue. Each was largely 
attended, and several addresses were delivered. 



OPEN-AIR SERVICES. 293 

SERVICES AT NEW CENTRES. 

On Sunday, August 29th, th^ head of the House of the 
Evangelists and the students inaugurated street services at 
the corner of Ridge and Stanton streets, Grand and Willett 
streets, junction of Grand Street and East Broad^vay, cor- 
ner of Delancey and jNIangin streets, the square at the 
foot of Delancey Street, Mangin Street between Delancey 
and Rivington streets, Rivington Street between Mangin 
and Lewis streets, Lewis Street between Stanton and Hous- 
ton streets. Another service was held in the square near 
Second Street and Avenue D. Services were also held at 
the foot of Second Avenue and Houston Street, and in the 
square at Suffolk and Houston streets, by Mr, Wetmore, 
superintendent of the Sunday-schools of the Stanton Street 
Mission. 

Through the out-door services, many who by the Church 
are practically forsaken heard that " God is love." Some 
whom exorbitant pew rents have deprived of the " means 
of grace," and left destitute of " the hope of glory," heard 
that Christ died for them. Those whose attire would make 
them unwelcome in some churches learned that Christ 
loved and mingled with the poor, and designed that to the 
poor His Gospel should be preached. Many who are 
struggling with poverty and pining in want learned that 
God's mercies are free to all. Kt each centre the Lord's 
Prayer was recited in unison, and many heard the ascend- 
ing sound, ** Our Father who art in heaven." And even 
should they die before they can be enrolled on parish 
registers, the Lord will not condemn those who told them 
that " God so loved the world that He gave His only 
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him might not 
perish, but have everlasting life." 



294 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

SUNDAY DESECRATION. 

Should a stranger visit the centres of the out-door ser- 
vices, the sight would astonish his eyes and move his heart. 
The occupants of the successive blocks of tenement-houses 
make the sidewalks almost impassable. Many stores are 
open on Sundays, and much business is transacted. The 
numerous beer saloons are crowded, and Sunday is their 
owners' market day. Hundreds of thousands are remote 
from " attractive churches," and never hear " acceptable 
preachers ;" and many have x:ause to say, " No man careth 
for OUR souls !" And should some of our clergy, who are 
suffering from hypochondria by reason of unrented and un- 
occupied pews, visit the street-service centres, and see the 
multitudes listening on the sidewalks and in the roads, 
and from the numerous windows of the tenement-houses, 
and some from their lofty summits, and just sound in their 
ears a note of warning, this would "help them," and 
benefit their hearers. All around the unsaved are perish- 
ing. Who will resolve to use the means to save them ? 
Soon we shall be called to render an account, and that we 
may not be condemned for having " left undone those 
things which we ought to have done," what our hands find 
to do for God let us do with all our might. 

On Sunday, October 3d, services were held in several 
new places. Though in the morning the sun was hid, and 
the rain descended, and the prospect for out-door services 
was gloomy, at noon the clouds dispersed, the sun shone 
forth, and the sky was clear and bright. 

Between noon and dark Messrs. Bonham, Duganne, 
Munroe, Gillespie, McKensie, and Armstrong, of the House 
of the Evangelists, and Mr. Wetmore, the devoted laborer 
in the Stanton Street Mission, held in all thirteen open-air 
services. Glad tidings to the perishing were sounded at 
the following centres : Willett and Stanton streets, Hous- 



OPEN-AIR SERVICES. 295 

ton Street and Avenue D, Ridge Street between Houston 
and Stanton streets, Sheriff Street between Stanton and 
Houston streets, Orchard Street, and in Ludlow Street 
between the streets last named, Grand Street near Sheriff 
Street, Pitt Street between Delancey and Broome streets, 
Rivington and Sheriff streets, Ludlow Street between 
Stanton and Rivington streets, in the square at Suffolk 
and Houston streets, and in Houston Street at ^:he foot 
of Second Avenue. 

The desire for tracts was so great that to avoid the incon- 
venience of surrounding pressure, leaving no room to use 
the elbows, the head of the House gave packages of tracts 
to several of the students, and sent one in one direction, 
and another in another, so that the crowd divided and fol- 
lowed them to obtain copies. The numerous outstretched 
hands, and the commingling of the various voices, crying, 
" Give me one," and the earnest and anxious faces pre- 
sented an interesting sight and study. One little girl, how- 
ever, certainly mistook our ecclesiastical relation, for she 
implored a tract, saying, " Do give me one, for ^am a 
Roman Catholic." But the street- preaching company are 
not Roman Catholics, neither was the fragrance from the 
gutters like the ascending fragrance from Roman Catholic 
swinging censers, nor even like the fragrance of the flowers 
in some of the chancels of our Gothic churches. 

On one occasion, to obtain more tracts, a number fol- 
lowed the street w^orkers until the crowd numbered about 
two thousand. The out-door services were continued 
until the weather made it impracticable to hold any more. 
The street se-rvices specially prepared the way for a 
thorough system of tenement-house visitation. 

In addition to the numerous services mentioned, the 
students spent a portion of five days every week in patient 
visitation from floor to floor of the towering tenement- 



296 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

houses, and in cases of necessity also visit on Saturday and 
Sunday. Some of the buildings contain from ten to twenty 
families, numbering from seventy to a hundred persons. 
Their sphere of labor extends from the Bowery on the 
west of the church centre to Ridge Street on the east, and 
from Houston Street on the north to Delancey Street on 
the south, embracing a population of not less than ten 
thousand persons, of all classes, creeds, and nationalities. 
In this crowded region fearful moral evils reign, and the 
spiritual destitution is painful to contemplate. 

A WARNING REJECTED. 

On Monday, September 20th, a devoted member of the 
House of the Evangelists, Mr. Munroe, attempted to enter 
the house of a godless man to point out to him the way of 
life, but he refused to admit him. He not only kept his 
hand on the door of his house, but also barred his heart 
against the Saviour. When the messenger of mercy left 
him, he invited him to attend the house of God, and gave 
him a tract setting forth God's great love and the way of 
salvation. Voluntarily and deliberately he refuses the only 
Saviour, and bars the door of life against himself. 

HIS HARVEST OF MERCY HAS PASSED. 

On the following day he ascends a new fire-escape to test 
its strength. Through some defect the ladder breaks, and 
the poor man falls with violence, and is fatally injured, 

" When lliy mortal life is fled, 

When the death-shades o'er thee spread, 
When is finished thy career, 
Sinner, where wilt thou appear?" 

Within seventeen hours after he received \\\'s>last warning, 
having given orders that his funeral be without any relig- 
ious ceremony, the mercy-rejecter dies. 



OPEN-AIR SERVICES. 29? 

EVANGELISTIC WORK IN RICHMOND. 

Mr. J. Rothwell, during leave of absence to attend the 
International Convention of the Young Men's Christian 
Association at Richmond, was invited to tarry to conduct 
special services for a week. There were held daily a 
morning prayer and conference meeting, an open-air meet- 
ing in the evening, and a general meeting in the Associa- 
tion Hall. 

Mr. Rothwell reports that the morning meeting was 
greatly blessed to believers, and was the means of stirring 
up Christians to greater activity in the cause of the Master. 
One old man remarked that before those meetings com- 
menced he thought all that was required of him was to at- 
tend church and teach in Sunday-school. But now he felt 
that he must go and preach the Gospel to the poor. Quite 
a number of similar incidents came under our notice as a 
result of the morning meetings. The open-air services were 
the means of reaching many careless ones, and at the close 
of each service as many as thirty or forty held up their hands 
for prayer. Many hardened sinners were affected to tears, 
and almost every night, by their own request, some were 
spoken to personally about their souls. The evening meet- 
ing was also successful ; a prominent citizen remarked of 
one of them, that he never was at such a meeting in his 
life. Page after page might be filled, giving an account 
of the encouraging incidents in connection with these ser- 
vices. A young minister, who could command a large 
salary, refused to accept it, and was so impressed with the 
open-air services that he intends giving his life to work 
among the masses in the Southern States. 

SPECIAL WORK IN CANADA. 

My special work in Canada was among 1350 volunteers, 
who were in camp twelve days. During this period, assisted 



298 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

by several brethren, seventeen open-air services were held, 
at twelve of which I delivered addresses. Two officers of 
one regiment professed conversion, and many others were 
deeply impressed. Tracts were distributed to nearly all the 
men, and many, on the breaking up of the camp, thanked 
us heartily for our endeavors to tell them " the old, old 
story of Jesus and His love." At Manchester, a short dis- 
tance from Richmond, Va., I assisted in the formation of a 
Sunday-school, which started with twenty-one children and 
eleven adults. In the city of Kingston, Canada, I assisted 
in several services, after which I returned to the Home 
before leaving again for Richmond, Va. 

I. ROTHWELL. 
SUMMARY OF WORK DONE FROM JULY I TO DECEMBER 3 1. 

The members of the House of the Evangelists took part 
in 485 services, attended 492 prayer-meetings, delivered 525 
addresses, made 8326 visits to families in tenement-houses, 
read the Scriptures to 1230 persons, prayed with 1245 in- 
dividuals, distributed 30,362 pages of tracts, held 3856 
religious conversations, and invited 81 12 persons to attend 
church or Sunday-school. Cottage services have been held 
at times, and occasional services at the school for girls in 
St. Mark's Place. On several evenings all the students 
held a special service at the Church of the Mediator, 
Eleventh Avenue and Fifty-first Street. 

Respectfully submitted, 

J. W. BONHAM. 

The House of the Evangelists thus strove to do the Gospel 
work for the masses which the times demand. The rector 
of a church in Cleveland, Ohio, came to New York to 
obtain, if practicable, a lay member of the House of the 
Evangelists to labor among the poor in his parish. He 
said :'' I much prefer to secure a layman who has had 



OPEN-AIR SERVICES. 299 

practical experience ; for he would be more useful to me 
than an inexperienced deacon, who may not be adapted to 
the work I desire to have him do." Mr. Rothwell was so 
promising that he was invited to labor in Canada. Mr, J. 
Bushell is an ordained foreign missionary. Mr. Munroe 
has been ordained. The Rev. Mr. Colcord conducted the 
evangelistic services held Sunday afternoons for several 
years in Chickering Hall, which was usually filled. The 
Rev. James Duganne and the Rev. Theodore A. Waterman 
are Presbyters in Pennsylvania. Among others who are 
useful is the highly esteemed assistant minister of the 
Church of the Holy Trinity, New York City, the Rev. 
Kennard Mackenzie. 

During the short period the author was *' Head of the 
House of the Evangelists" he preached in ** the Church of 
the Reformation" on Sundays. B. C. Wetmore, Esq., 
was the efficient superintendent of the crowded Sunday- 
school. The members of the House were among his 
numerous teachers and workers. During the year 1885 
the trustees transferred the property to a new Board, in- 
cluding wealthy laymen of St. George's Church. Mr. 
Wetmore' s long-cherished desire to see a new church 
edifice, with suitable rooms for evangelistic purposes, will 
soon be gratified. The corner-stone of the new church on 
the old site was laid Monday, October 19th, 1885, by the 
Rt. Rev. H. C. Potter, D.D. Among the clergy present 
were the Rev. Messrs. Rainsford, Morgan, Maguire, Hy- 
land, Bonham, and Dr. E. F. Miles, the minister in charge, 
who conducts the service in a church in the vicinity. 
Among the prominent laity present were Messrs. Wetmore 
and Cutting. Addresses were made by the Assistant 
Bishop and by the Rev. W. S. Rainsford, Rector of St. 
George's. A history of the corporation was read by Ben- 
jamin C. Wetmore, President of the Board of Trustees, 



300 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



This history was then placed in the corner-stone, together 
with copies of the Bible, Prayer-Book, The Churchi7ian^ 
Parish Visitor., the Church Almanac, copies of the New 
York dailies, etc. The stone being duly laid, was struck 
with the mallet three times by the Assistant Bishop as he 
repeated the words, *' In the name of the Father, and of 
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." 

The Rev. T. Hyland read part of the service. A large 
chorus led the hearty singing. The address of the Rev. 
Mr. Rainsford and of the Assistant Bishop were not theo- 
retical, but very practical. Attached to the church will 
be the parsonage. The basement of the new building 
will contain kitchen, gymnasium, }avatories, etc. On the 
ground floor will be rooms for the Sunday-school, indus- 
trial school, etc., the space being large enough to accom- 
modate a thousand children. The church proper will be 
on the floor above, the dimensions being 86x42. It is under- 
stood that on this story are also to be reception-rooms. 
The cost of the building will be $46,000, all of which has 
been subscribed. The architect is Mr. Charles C. Haight. 

At the laying of the corner-stone the standing space on 
the first floor was crowded ; also the space in front of the 
church. The windows of the towering tenements opposite, 
floor above floor, were filled with the projecting heads of 
the variegated multitudes, who were anxious to hear the 
hymns and the words of the service and the addresses. 
Some facts in the foregoing sketch of the faithful work of 
Mr. Wetmore and his co-laborers are in the soldered box 
inside the corner-stone. Therefore some persons may be 
interested to read them hereafter. 

The second summer after Evangelist Bonham held the 
mission in the Church of the Holy Trinity described in 
Part III., Chapter IX., on four Sunday evenings he preached 
in the Gospel tent, and between the last two Sundays held 



OPEN-AIR SERVICES. 301 

special mission services. On the four Sunday evenings 
the tent was crowded ; hundreds stood around its large cir- 
cle. The annex tent was filled, many listened standing at 
the tent's entrance, and some on the opposite side of the 
street. Each Sunday evening sermon was followed by an 
earnest address by one of the Church of the Holy Trinity 
Lay Preachers' Association, talented and prominent citi- 
zens. They also instructed the numerous '* inquirers ' ' who 
entered the annex tent when the service in the large tent 
had closed. May the recent ** Advent Mission" induce 
them to arise and shine more brightly than ever before ! 



302 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER XII. 

PAROCHIAL MISSIONS INTRODUCED IN NEW ORLEANS, LA. 

The Mission in Calvary Church — The Bishop's Interest in the 
Services — A Suicide Prevented — Mission in Mobile^ Ala. — 
Missions in Birmingham — Bishop Wilmer s Foresight — Mis- 
sions in Louisville^ Ky. — The Evangelist in Indiana, 

" Through ihe zeal of the Rev. S, Burford, Rector of 
Calvary Church, New Orleans, parochial missions were 
first inaugurated in Louisiana. The mission services held 
in his parish were conducted without noise or excitement. 
Each week-day four services were held, and six on Sun- 
days. During the eight days of its continuance the Evan- 
gelist, the Rev. J. W. Bonham, preached ten times, and 
took part in the other services. The Rector of the parish 
labored with great earnestness, and gave most of the * in- 
structions ' at the service following the sermon. Most of 
the city clergy and others were present at several of the 
services, also representatives from the different parishes. 
On several occasions the Bishop of the diocese was present.* 
The Rev. Dr. Harris, now the Bishop of Michigan, mani- 
fested great interest in the progress of the mission. A 
man who had resolved to commit suicide was through the 
mission saved. 

" At the last service, after the sermon by the Evangelist, 
the Bishop made a very impressive address, expressed his 
sympathy with the movement, and uttered words of en- 
couragement. Before the closing prayers and the benedic- 

* He now sleeps in Jesus. 



PAROCHIAL MISSIONS. 303 

tion the Rector narrated how he had been cheered by 
the present results of the mission. Those who each morn- 
ing celebrated the Holy Communion experienced soul 
refreshment. Those who attended the Monday Litany 
service felt increased devotion. Of those present at the 
nightly mission service, some had voluntarily offered them- 
selves as candidates for confirmation. May the mission 
resemble bread cast upon the waters, that shall be seen 
after many days ! 

" During the Evangelist's stay in New Orleans he also 
officiated in Christ Church, and in Trinity Church, and in 
Mount Olivet Church, iVlgiers. Last Sunday evening an 
interesting service was held, inaugurating a new effort for 
the colored people. About 500 freedmen were present, 
and paid deep attention to the sermon preached by the 
colored clergyman 'who will have charge of the movement, 
and also to the earnest address made by the Rev. S. Bur- 
ford, Rector Calvary Church, whose heart is moved to 
further every good work."* The missioner had arranged 
to conduct a mission in Christ Church ; but as the Rev. 
C. Fair, D.D., received word that his beloved mother was 
dying, and left at once for Ireland, and the aged Rector 
was very feeble, the proposed mission was not held. 

THE MISSION IN MOBILE, ALABAMA, 

was held in Trinity Church. The Rector, the Rev. J. A. 
Massey, D.D., as part of the preparation for the mission, 
with Bishop Wilmer's approval, reprinted and circulated 
the fervent pastoral of the Bishop of Long Island, f He 
heartily co-operated with the missioner, a»d made his twOi 
weeks' visit very pleasant. 

The New York Church Journal published a sketch of the 



Church Journal. f See Part III., Chapter X. 



304 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

mission : " The Church Evangelist, the Rev. J.W. Bonham, 
recently held a mission in Trinity Church, Mobile, of 
which the Rev. J. A. Massey, D.D., is Rector. The mission 
commenced Sunday, January 3d, and closed Wednesday, 
January 13th. The Rt. Rev. Bishop of the diocese is in 
full sympathy with the movement. The Sunday before 
the mission began he preached an appropriate preparatory 
sermon, and was present at its inauguration, and cele- 
brated the Holy Communion. 

** During the mission about forty services were held, at 
several of which the Rev. T. J. Beard, of the Bishop's 
Church, St. John's, and the Rev. W. J. Lemon, of Living- 
ston, participated. The Evangelist preached seventeen 
sermons, delivered one address to the Sunday-school, was 
present at the other services, and preached twice the Sun- 
day after the mission had closed. ^ 

" Though the weather was unpropitious, the mission ser- 
vices were well attended, and on some occasions the audi- 
ences were unusually large. At several of the noonday 
services between two and three hundred persons were pres- 
ent. The mission was closed by a special noonday service 
at 12 o'clock on Wednesday, the 13th instant. After the 
Litany and Ante-Communion service, the Evangelist 
preached on ' The Duty and Advantages of Constant Labor 
for the Lord,' based on i Cor. 15 : 58. The sermon set 
forth : I. The work commanded. 2. The mode of perform- 
ance. 3. The inspiring motive. At the close of the ser- 
mon the hymn, * Hark! hark! my soul.,' was sung : 

' Onward we go, for still we hear theiti singing, 
• Come, weary souls, for Jesus bids you come ; 

And through the dark, its echoes sweetly ringing, 
The music of the Gospel leads us home.' 

" A large number remained to celebrate the Holy Com- 
munion, and the mission closed. 



PAROCHIAL MISSIONS. 305 

" The Rector of Trinity parish is deeply interested for 
^ the welfare of those who have long neglected their duty 
and despised their privileges. His heart yearns for the sal- 
vation of the godless living within sound of the church 
bell, but who have turned a deaf ear to its summons to 
come and hear the voice of mercy. 

" Appreciating the true work of the Church, and anxious 
to reach the unsaved within the bounds of his parish, he 
has urged his people to ' come to the help of the Lord ; to 
the help of the Lord against the mighty.' On the evening 
after the mission closed, a goodly number of communicants 
pledged themselves to act as workers to bring the godless ivithin the 
circle of the means of grace. Neat cards have been printed 
giving notice of the Sunday and week-day services, and 
that ' strangers are always welcome. * 

•" On the Sunday following the closing service of the mis- 
sion, the Rector gave notice that hereafter * on Sunday 
evenings all the pews in the church will be free I ' He earnestly 
urged his people to avoid the sin of selfishness, and to prac- 
tise self-denial for the good of others ; also to refrain from 
visiting and from receiving callers Sundays, that they may 
be present themselves at the free Sunday evening services." 

After the mission ended the Rector declined to have the 
high box pulpit returned to its old place, and preached in 
front of the chancel. An eccentric preacher said : " The 
survival of Christianity after having been preached in old- 
fashioned high pulpits is a proof of its divinity !" 

THE MISSION IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA. 

At the close of the mission in Trinity Church, Mobile, the 
Evangelist accepted an invitation from the Bishop of the 
diocese to visit Birmingham, a place in which the Bishop 
is deeply interested, and whose work proves that he is an 



306 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

overseer awake, and looking out for Zion ; for while 
keen-eyed capitalists saw the advantages of a city near the , 
intersection of the extended lines of the Alabama and Chat- 
tanooga, and the Nashville, Louisville and great Southern 
Railroad, and combined to purchase for its site 4000 acres 
of land in the centre of a beautiful valley, through Epis- 
copal foresight Bishop Wilmer saw that i7i this fair region 
of picturesque fields and hills, with springs and running 
streams, our Zion might arise and shine. 

Usually others are the pioneers^ who in new places form 
Sunday-schools and first gather congregations ; and " The 
Churchy instead of obeying the mandate " Go^ too often 
waits for the invitation " Come.'' Frequently a missionary 
is sent, after a. few Church families have moved thither, to 
give an occasional service to a now hungering few, who in 
the city they left attended " our beautiful service " only on 
Sunday mornings. But through the Bishop's oversight and 
foresight the Church was not allowed 10 follow the denomi- 
nations, and arrive last, and very late, and then to minister 
specially to " a few Church families." Moreover, realizing 
the importance of having ** the right man in the right 
place," instead of sending a clergyman with exhausted 
powers to perform the hard work essential to a good paro- 
chial foundation, and from whom God requires no such 
service, because he has faithfully served his day and gener- 
ation, and whom the Church should comfortably support 
in consideration of his past faithfulness — instead of send- 
ing a needy clergyman to minister specially to keep him 
from starving, the Bishop was providentially able to send 
to this important field an earnest churchman, who had re- 
cently given up a lucrative legal practice to become a 
minister of Christ, the Rev. P. A. Fitts, who held his first 
service soon after the city was incorporated. 

That the Church should be pioneer caused expression of 



PAROCHIAL MISSIONS. 307 

astonishment from some who considered this a departure 
from her usual mode of working. But in less than five 
months after Mr. Fitts's first service, a comfortable build- 
ing was erected, and though there are now six places of 
public worship in this new city, our Church was not last, 
but the first. 

Already the communicants of the Church of the Advent, 
the first place of worship opened, number S5, and with 
the parishioners number 155, while the regular congre- 
gation is the largest in the city. And because our Church 
is leading, instead of following, she is highly respected, 
and her influence is extending. The devoted Rector 
is an earnest w^orker, and held in great esteem ; and as a 
few words of encouragement oil the wheels of labor, his 
friends are not afraid to speak them. Bouquets of appre- 
ciation placed in a Rector's hand while he is alive do more 
good than the large number placed on his coffin when he 
cannot breathe their fragrance. The Rector is also much 
cheered by the energy of the men of his parish, who, 
instead of leaving the financial drudgery to be done by 
devoted ladies, perform it themselves. 

For a larger church edifice, and a rectory, lots in a fine 
central location have already been secured, and the title 
vested in the Bishop and his successors. Though the parish 
may have to struggle to erect the buildings adapted to the 
growing wants of the place, the author hopes that it may 
not be " a struggling parish" perpetually, and keep on the 
outside those afraid of struggles, nor, like others, depend 
for aid on the " missionary stipend " for over forty years ! 

The ten days' mission in the Church of the Advent 
greatly cheered the Rector and the people. Those who 
attended the services held during its continuance seemed 
deeply interested, and on some occasions several ministers 
of the denominations were present. The solemnity and 



308 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

serenity of worship on the Lord's day characterized all the 
services. 

THE PAROCHIAL MISSION IN LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY. 

At the time of the Evangelist's arrival in Louisville, the 
largest halls were crowded by persons interested in the 
labors of two lay evangelists, who preach and sing the 
Gospel.* Without discussing the mode or the results, it is 
a fact worthy of consideration that when services are 
started for the welfare of the masses, and are so conducted 
that the people are permitted to sing old hymns to familiar 
tunes, or to join in the chorus of a new one, such services 
are crowded when the sun shines and when the rain de- 
scends, and large numbers profess to have received great 
benefit. At certain periods a wave of revival sweeps over 
the country, and those to whom the Church has not min- 
istered flock to the services. It is affirmed that the 
hardest soil to cultivate is that by a revival burnt all over. 

In view of this, should not the Church put forth her 
undeveloped power, bring out her unused implements of 
spiritual husbandry, cultivate the soil hej-self^ and make it 
what it should be? With her complete -circle of doctrine 
and Apostolic polity, why allow such multitudes to be 
allured by doctrine and polity fearfully mutilated ? If 
Episcopalians were allowed by quartettes to sing their own 
Venite, Gloria in Excelsis, grand Te Deum, and our own 
rich hymns, would they by the hundred go night after 
night where they can gratify their desire to lift up their 
voice in praise by joining in " inferior psalmody "? Often 
in small towns and villages the hopes of rectors vanish, 
by learning that a number of young people whom they ex- 

* Messrs. Whittle and Bliss. Mr. Bliss was afterward killed at the 
accident, etc., at Ashtabula. 



PAROCHIAL MISSIONS. 309 

pected would join the confirmation class have been ** con- 
verted at a revival," and feel it their duty to join where 
they got a blessing ! Now, when a great revival is in prog- 
ress, is it not desirable that special services should be at 
once started in parishes to benefit our own people, and 
bring in the godless ? As it is said after a denominational 
revival " the soil is so very hard to cultivate," is it not the 
duty of the Church to take^ possession of the soil before it 
becomes ''burned all over'' ? As every few years a large 
number of young people are ** brought in " under revivals, 
and many '' fall away.," should we not labor toyfrj-/ influence 
them, and then place them under proper Church nurture ? 
A wave of revival is now spreading from place to place, 
and if we treat the matter with indifference, another gen- 
eration of souls will be '' burned all over'' and lost to the 
church ! 

The Rev. Mr, Bonham while at Louisville, Ky., was 
"interviewed." While willingly answering such questions 
as tended to draw out information in regard to the nature 
and mode of the work, there was a marked reticence 
when asked to contribute to the gossiping appetites of 
newspaper readers. In answer to the inquiry, " Will 
you please state some facts about yourself ?" he replied : 
" Ministers of the Cross should hide themselves behind the 
Cross. In the New Testament is a book of the ' Acts of 
the Apostles,' giving an account of their labors and trials, 
but personal descriptions that would merely gratify a mor- 
bid curiosity are wisely withheld. While we now have 
* pen and ink sketches of popular preachers,' we have no 
such sketches of popular Prophets and Apostles." 

We extract a few inquiries and answers : 
" R. — Are there any manifestations of emotion at 
Church mission services ? 

" Mr. B. — The manifestations at Church missions are 



310 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

holy fervor, but no excitement ; intense emotion, but under 
control. The services are characterized by perfect order, 
exceeding calmness, strange stillness overawing, and 
peaceful serenity. Believing that the Lord is in His holy 
temple, we teach that true worshippers avoid all irrever- 
ence, and manifest due solemnity. 

" R. — What have missions accomplished ? 

" Mr. B. — Through missions many wandering sheep have 
been reclaimed. Many of the godless have been converted. 
Faith has been quickened, and Christian love deepened. 
The flame of clerical zeal has been diffused, and fraternal 
sympathy deepened. A fresh life has been communicated 
to the ministry, and a power developed that seemed 
unknown before. 

" R. — Wherein does a Church mission differ from ordi- 
nary revivals ? 

" Mr. B. — The specific object of a Church mission is, not 
to excite temporary emotions, but by successive impres- 
sions of Gospel truth to facilitate the decision of the will to 
accept Christ as the only Saviour, and to faithfully serve 
Him. The Gospel is brought to harmoniously bear upon 
the intellect, heart, will, and conscience ; and when a sin- 
ner is converted he is taught that he has merely taken 
the first step in a life of penitence and holiness. 

" R. — Do those benefited by mission services remain 
steadfast ? 

* ' Mr. B. — The majority remain steadfast, because they are 
taught that conversion is merely turning from sin to holi- 
ness, and are placed under the church's system of spiritual 
nurture, leading them step after step up the ladder of the 
means of grace. After the Prodigal's will was moved to 
say, * I will arise and go to my father,' he needed cleans- 
ing, comely raiment, and nutritious food. The Rev. Mr. 
Wilkinson, author of * Guide to a Devout Life,' has shown 



PAROCHIAL MISSIONS. 311 

that persons converted through mission services, after years 
of trial, have died in peaceful triumph." 

On Sunday the Evangelist delivered a lecture on Paro- 
chial Missions. Grace Church was crowded, and extra seats 
provided. On the following Tuesday he commenced a 
mission in Grace Church. The Rev. L. P. Tschiffely, the 
Rector, took hold of the mission with energy, and his 
zealous lay helper and supporter, J. V. Cowling, Esq., con- 
tributed the principal part of the expense. The large 
posters which gave notice of the services contained the fol- 
lowing : 

" The mission is intended ior all. It is for the unbelieving. 
Come and hear the blessed Gospel of the grace of God. It 
is the power of God unto salvation to every one that 
believeth, and faith cometh by hearing-, and hearing by the 
Word of God. 

" It is for the believer. Come and hear, that you may have 
your faith confirmed and strengthened ; that your joy in 
the Lord ma}?" be increased ; that you may be stirred up to 
more entire consecration of heart and life to Him who has 
done so much for you. . . . Pray much for the pres- 
ence and effectual working of God the Holy Ghost. 
* The Spirit and the Bride say, Come,' etc. 

" Louis P. Tschiffely, Rector."* 

The mission at Grace Church continued thirteen days. 
On the evening after this mission closed the author com- 
menced a mission in Calvary Church. Some who attended 
all the services at Grace Church were present at the services 
in Calvary Church. The Rev. Dr. Perkins, of St. Paul's, 
and other clergymen were present when not detained by 
Lenten services in their own parishes. The recently con- 
secrated Assistant Bishop arrived during the mission in 



Recently entered into rest. 



312 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

Calvary Church, was present when not detained by other 
duties, and spoke words of encouragement, and gave wise 
counsel. The mission in this parish continued eight days. 
The Evangelist was sorry that he could not accept the 
Bishop's invitation to accompany him on a mission to help 
the struggling parishes ; but having preached equal to 
two sermons daily for twenty-one successive days, he 
needed a little rest. 

The Evangelist next visited Indianapolis^ Ind., and was in- 
vited by the Rev. E. A. Bradley, Rector of Christ Church, 
and rectors of other parishes to tarry to hold a mission. 
Sunday morning he preached in Christ Church. In the 
evening he delivered a lecture in the large cathedral, which 
was crowded. A severe snow-storm during the week, which 
made the streets almost impassable, interfered with the at- 
tendance at the mission services, at which Bishop Talbot 
presided.* The good results of the mission previously 
conducted by the Rev. P. B. Morgan, described in Part III., 
Chapter VI., induced the Bishop and visitors to* desire 
another. 

* The Bishop is now with the blessed in Paradise. 



THE MISSION IN TRINITY CHURCH. 313 



CHAPTER XIII. 

THE MISSION IN TRINITY CHURCH, WASHINGTON, D. C. 

Twelve Days' Mission in the Church of the Incarnation — Bible 
Readings in Lincoln Hall — Sermons in the Church of the As- 
cension — Wesley and " Dear Sammy' — Financial Salt, 

While in Washington the C. N. Y. Evangelist preached on 
four Sundays at Trinity Church, the Rev. T. G. Addi- 
son, D.D., Rector. On the third Sunday we commenced 
a mission, which closed the next Sunday evening. The 
Rector read the liturgical service. The Evangelist 
preached the mission sermons, and gave the instructions. 
The large church was not filled at the week-night services, 
but large congregations were present at the services on 
Sundays. Soon afterward the Rev. W. S. Rainsford com- 
menced a mission ; as there had been more preparation, the 
congregations were larger and the interest awakened 
greater. His fame as the missioner who had held a suc- 
cessful mission in Baltimore induced many who were not 
Episcopalians to attend the services, a number of whom 
were blessed through his labors. 

The Rector of the Church of the Incarnation., Washington, 
the Rev. I. L. Townsend, S.T.D., succeeded the author 
as the Rector of St. Pant s Church., Peoria.^ III.., after he re- 
signed, and became an Evangelist. By special arrange- 
ment, a twelve-days' mission was held in the Church of 
the Incarnation. At the daily noonday services on week- 



314 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

days one of the rectors in the city delivered an address. 
The mission sermon each evening was preached by the 
Evangelist, and after a hymn he gave the instruction. 
Rectors in the city took great interest in the mission, and 
rendered efficient aid. The services were well attended 
and the people interested. The Sunday on which the mis- 
sion closed, as the Evangelist had learned that the Wardens 
and Vestry and people were satisfied with the manifest re- 
sults of the mission, he appealed to them to contribute 
money for a " Diaconite memorial of the mission." At 
the close of the service in the morning and afternoon a 
liberal offertory was received, also the names of persons 
who would subscribe for this fund a certain sum weekly. 
In about two w^eeks after the mission closed Dr. Townsend 
hard his Deacon to assist him ; and a local mission was 
committed to his care. The Rectors, Wardens, and Vestry 
sent complimentary resolutions to the Evangelist, which, 
to avoid blushing, he will not publish. After the mission 
he preached twice in the Church of the Ascension, called 
the Bishop's Church ; but the Rev. J. H. Elliott is the 
Rector. For one week he gave a series of 

BIBLE READINGS IN LINCOLN HALL. 

The general topic of the Bible Readings was " The 
Kingdom of God.'' The texts were chalked on a large 
blackboard, that any who so desired could write them 
in the margins of their Bible or on paper for future study. 

The first reading defined the phrase " The Kingdom of 
Heaven," which set before us the Messianic administra- 
tion of the wondrous scheme of mercy, and embraces the 
historical, actual, and prophetical. 

The phrase is used {a) respecting the Jewish economy 
(Ezek. 21 : 27 ; Matt. 21 : 43 ; Acts 1:6); {b) respecting the 
Gospel dispensation (Matt. 3:2; 12 : 28 ; Luke 11 : 20) ; and 



THE MISSION IN TRINIT Y CHURCH. 315 

{c) in reference to the Dispensation of eternal fruition (Dan. 
2 : 35 ; 7 : 13, 14 ; Matt. 6 : 10, 13 ; Luke 12 : 32 ; 21 : 31 ; 
Rev. II : 15). 

The phrases Kingdom of God and Kingdom of Heaven 
are sometimes used when either the Messianic King, or His 
subjects, or His laws, or the Kingdom's now usurped ter- 
ritory, or the present or future privileges are specially 
referred to. 

The second reading described the King, who {a) is spe- 
cially brought to view in Matt. 6 : 33 ; Luke 12 : 31— liter- 
ally seek Christ ; Luke 17 : 21 — marginal reading " among 
you ;'' and in Luke 19 : 12, 35. {h) The subjects are called 
" the Kingdom " in Matt. 25 : i, and are specially alluded 
to in Eph. 2 : 22; 5 : 23, 25, 27 ; Rev. 19 : 6-9. {c) The laws 
are summed up in Matt. 18 : 3 ; 22 : 37-40 ; John 3 : 3, 5 ; 
13 : 34 ; I John 2 : 3, 5, 10, 15 ; 3 : 24 ; 5 : 1-5. \d) The 
territory is brought to view in Dan. 2 : 44 ; 7 : 18 ; Isa. 
65 : 17, 18 ; and the overthrow of its usurpers in Ps. 2 : 8,' 
9 ; 37 : 9, 35 ; Matt. 13 : 41 ; i Cor. 6:9; Rev. 2 : 27 ; 
21 : 27. 

The third reading referred to the keys of the kingdom, 
which (a) symbolize authority to administer government 
(Isa. 22 : 22) ; power to confine or to release (Rev. i : j8) ; 
ability to place or to remove obstacles (Rev. 3 : 7, 8) ; the 
disposition to impart or to withhold knowledge (Luke 
IT : 52) ; authority to preach the Gospel, administer its 
ordinances, set forth its lawSj and administer discipline 
(Matt. 16 : 19 ; 18 : 15-18). 

((^) The keys of the kingdom of heaven were promised 
first to St. Peter, because he was the first who opened to 
view the laws and privileges of the kingdom after Christ's 
ascension, {c) The keys symbolized St. Peter's acts by 
apostolic authority, as recorded in Acts 3:7; 5:5; 
9 : 34, 40, 41 ; 15 : 7, 8. But the same authority was 



316 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



given to all the Apostles after Christ's transfiguration 
(Matt. i8 : i8 ; John 20 : 22, 23). Civil ministers, in the 
iiajne of the government, pronounce men acquitted or con- 
demned. The ministers of Christ have authority to pro- 
nounce men guilty or innocent whenever they -break or 
keep the laws of His kingdom. The proclamation that 
" the unrighteous shall not \x\\v^r\X. the kingdom of God" 
was pre-echoed by the Old Testament mandate respecting 
the itnhcaled leper : " Pronounce him unclean F' (Lev. 13 : 
3, II.) The proclamation, ** There is therefore now ;z^ con- 
demnatio7i to them who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not 
after the flesh but after the Spirit" (Rom. 8 : i), was also 
pre-sounded in the command respecting the healedX^'^^r — 
" Pronounce him clean' (Lev. 13 : 23, 28, 37 ; 14 : 11-20). 
The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin ! (i John 

1:7.) 

The fourth reading set forth [a) present privileges of 
the subjects of the kingdom — heirship and assurance of 
pardon, and the joyful hope of fruition (Job 19 : 25-27 ; 
Matt. 5 : 3-12 ; Mark 16 : 16 ; Rom. 8 : 3, 28 ; 14 : 17 ; i 
John 3 : 14 ; Col. i : 13 ; James 2:5). 

{p^ Future privileges — the eternal possession of the puri- 
fied and glorified earth (Ps. 37 : 11 ; Dan. 7 : 27 ; Matt. 
5 : 5 ; 25 : 34 ; 2 Pet. i : 11 ; Rev. 11 : 18 ; 21 : 4). 

The fifth reading had reference to the kingdom organized 
at Christ's return to judge the world (2 Tim. 4 : i). The 
King now on the Father's throne will then reign on his own 
throne (Rev. 3 : 21). The heirs now scattered will be 
collected and glorified (Matt. 25 : 34 ; Eph. i : 10 ; 1 
Cor. 15 : 41-44). The redeemed territory will be recovered 
and cleansed (Eph. i : 14 ; i Cor. 15 : 24 ; 2 Pet. 3 : 
10-14 ; Rev. 21:1, 5). The glorified Messiah will then 
personally reign with His saints forever and ever (Dan. 2 : 
44 ; 7 : 13, 14 ; Matt. 16 : 27 ; Acts i : ti ; Rev. 1:7; 



THE MISSION IN TRINITY CHURCH. 317 



u : 15 ; 22 : 4). Then the promises will be fulfilled in Isa. 
11:9; Matt. 13 : 43 ; I-^ke 12 : 32 ; 13 : 29 ; Rev. 5 : 9, 
10 — And we shall t^eign on the earth. 

The closing reading answered the question, " Who will be 
excluded T' (a) For such as be blessed of Him shall inherit 
the earth ; and they that be cursed of Him shall be cut off 
(Ps. 37 : 9, 22). The Son of man shall send forth His 
angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things 
that offend (Matt. 13 : 30, 41, 42). 

Then shall He say unto them on the left hand, Depart 
from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the 
devil and his angels (Matt. 25 : 41). (b) Know ye not that 
the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God ? Be 
not deceived ; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adul- 
terers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with man- 
kind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, 
nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God (i Cor. 
6 : 9, 10). (c) And there shall in nowise enter into it any- 
thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomina- 
tion, or maketh a lie ; but they which are wriUen in the 
Lamb's book of life (Rev. 21 : 27). 

. {d) He that is unjust, let him be unjust still ; and he which 
is filthy, let him be filthy still ; and he that is righteous, let 
him be righteous still ; and he that is holy, let him be holy 
still. And, behold, I come quickly ; and my reward is with 
me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 
Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they 
might have right to the tree of life, and may enter in 
through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and 
sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, 
and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie (Rev. 22 : 11-15). 

(e) Repent ye : for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand 
(Matt. 3 : 2). 

At the closing reading an offertory was made for the ex- 



318 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



penses of the hall. The business manager who had made 
an address, respecting "the usefulness of the readings/' 
reckoned the offertory. Afterward he kindly gave an 
official receipt " in full," though the amount of the offertory 
was less than the regular charge for the use of Lincoln 
Hall. 

The Bible Reader accepted an invitation to be his guest ; 
but, unlike the guest at any hotel, he received no bill from 
his host ! He knew that " the earth is the Lord's, and the 
fulness thereof," and the power to amass wealth God gave, 
and all the precious metals God veined in their mines, and 
that the compensation His ministers receive from those to 
whom they are sent or go to, in order to minister in His 
name, should not be received as alms are received by 
beggars. God is not a pauper nor His servants bene- 
ficiaries. They could make money like other men, had 
they devoted themselves to the service of mammon. John 
Wesley also realized this ; for when he knew that one of 
his preachers, Mr. S. Bradburn^ needed money, he im- 
mediately wrote him a letter, and enclosed therein two 
five-pound notes. Instead of saying, " I have so many calls 
for aid, do not expect this to be repeated" — which had 
not been expected, nor the money in the letter—he wrote : 

" Dear Sammy : Trust in the Lord, and be doing good. 
Dwell in the land, and, verily, thou shalt be fed. 

"Yours, 

** John Wesley." 

To this note Mr. Bradburn at once responded : 

" Dear Mr. Wesley : I have often read the verse which 
you quote to me, but have never before found it accom- 
panied by such excellent notes. Yours, 

" Samuel Bradburn." 

This little playfulness did not add to his depression ; 



THE MISSION IN TRINITY CHURCH. 319 

for the "faithful old preacher" was lifted out of the 
depths, and went on his way rejoicing, more useful than 
ever. 

As the gentleman in Washington had by some means 
learned that his guest had gratuitously preached in the city 
about fifty Gospel sermons ; when the train was ready to 
start he stepped into the car and handed him a note, say- 
ing, '* Take this salt for your porridge^'' said " farewell," and 
hurried off the train. When the receiver opened the note- 
paper it contained a new five- dollar bill J How can he resist 
the temptation to here record this act of kindness, written 
with others on his heart ! 



320 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

THE GREAT TEMPERANCE MISSION IN WASHINGTON, D. C. 

Mr. Edward Murphy in Lincoln Hall — An Irish Blessing — 
The Cost of ^^ the Blue Ribbo7t'* — Mass Meeting on Capitol 
Hill — The Speakers Suddenly Disappearing. 

The temperance mission in Lincoln Hall was ably con- 
ducted by the eloquent Edward Murphy. On several oc- 
casions the crowds outside the hall struggled in vain to reach 
its entrance. At the close of his introductory lecture, when 
the packed audience had been greatly stirred by the lect- 
urer's eloquence — looking now at the platform as if he saw 
the dragon of intemperance, with his poisonous sting pro- 
truding, Mr. Murphy in rapid succession used all the terms 
of denunciation that he could remember in the vocabulary 
of invective. Now with arms extended and hands clinched, 
he gives a sudden jump, as if desirous to at once crush the 
monster's head ; and as his heels come down heavily upon 
the platform, some who are near him thereon are startled. 
At this service the White House florist, in the name of the 
wife of President Hayes, presented to the lecturer a beau- 
tiful bouquet, composed of some of the choicest flowers in 
the President's conservatory. 

Though the Bible Reader had specially emphasized 
"Righteousness" and "the judgment to come," he 
offered prayer at most of the lectures of Mr. Murphy on 
" Temperance." But, because again and again the cheerful 
lecturer had made him blush by compliments, that made 



THE GREA T TEMPERANCE MISSION. 321 

the people smile, the reader may smile also when he learns 
how the "dear English brother" cured him, that his 
eulogies might cease. Knowing that the sons of the 
Emerald Isle value benedictions, for when Mr. Murphy was 
about to leave his old home, and had said, **I am now 
off from Ireland to live in free America— good-by, my very 
dear mother," she uttered her blessing on her son, which 
he vividly described. When he next uttered at a meeting 
a complimentary sentence concerning his " dear English 
brother," the moment the lecturer had taken his seat, 
the "dear Episcopal brother" arose to speak a word or 
two without an invitation ! Looking into the lecturer's 
face, in solemn tone he said : " Mr. Murphy, where were 
yoit born ?" He answered, " In old Ireland," and named 
the place and county. He was next asked : " T)o you de- 
sire a real Irish blessing?" He answered: "Yes;" and 
with a solemn face reverently bowed his head to receive the 
benediction. But the instant his " dear brother" said : " Mr. 
Murphy, may you live forever^ and then die happy\'' he placed 
an open hand close to each side of his head, as if studying 
what to say as an answer. He then recovered from his sur- 
prise at the nature of the " real Irish blessing," and united 
with the audience in a smile, with vocal accompaniments. 

Afterward the benedictor received no more public com- 
pliments, and could obtain from Mr. Murphy no more 
answers to personal questions. At a meeting in Lincoln » 
Hall he announced the one who had blessed him as " the 
next speaker." Knowing that the temperance lecturer is a 
good Methodist, and that Wesley had said, " The true 
Methodist is the true churchman," the next speaker de- 
sired to say, " I am a member of the Mother Church, of 
which true Methodists are children ;" he said : " Mr. 
Murphy, to what Church do you belong ?" Not desiring 
another " Irish blessing," he replied : " I am not willing to 



322 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



tell in public the name of the one I am courting." So, as 
his " dear English brother " had momentarily embarrassed 
him, he kindly returned the compliment ; for the " next 
speaker" had no notes to guide him, and the answer ex- 
pected, on which to base a brief eulogy respecting the 
Church in which Wesley had lived and died, had not been 
given ; without coughing when his vocal chords were in 
good order, " the next speaker ' ' soon spake on a more tem- 
perate theme. Mr. Murphy's temperance lectures in 
Washington created an interest equal to that enkindled by 
the Advent Mission in New York City. But as there were 
three temperance parties in the city, two of them dis- 
agreed with so7ne of the renowned lecturer's views, simply 
because to their different powers of vision the same circle 
seemed to Tdc of different diameters. One of the economi- 
cal temperance movement officials complained of the cost 
of so many hundred yards of thin narrow blue ribbon, a 
very small piece of which was placed on the button-hole of 
each who had signed the pledge. Others thought that 
Mr. Murphy expected too many dollars for his continu- 
ous services, and more than one person hinted that in 
view of the eternal reward awaiting him " in the world to 
come" for such abundant labors, for merely doing his 
fellow-man good, he surely should not expect much finan- 
cial compensation " in this present world." One man, who 
deserves an adjective to his gender for his unmanly con- 
duct, went to the clerk of the hotel to ascertain whether 
Mr. Murphy or his son and daughter had " extravagant 
extras !" During the successful orator's stay in Washing- 
ton several saloons were closed, and the fixtures for sale 
sent to the auction room. A notice in several of the 
empty saloon windows read : " This store is to rent." Ad- 
vertisements had failed to allure any applicants to buy the 
establishments Mr. Murphy did not eulogize. 



THE GREA T TEMPERANCE MISSION. .323 

" The closing mass-meeting" was held on a Sunday 
afternoon in front of the Capitol. The steps were used as 
seats, and crowded. The square platform for speakers, near 
the Capitol's steps, was surrounded with a rail, to be 
grasped by whoever made no graceful gestures. In front 
and around the platform were about 10,000 persons. After 
the opening hymn, the lecturer requested " my dear 
brother" to offer prayer ; and the Lord's prayer was said. 
So many voices commingled, that the air seemed to rum- 
ble, as when a storm is approaching. The chaplain who 
was instrumental in Mr. Murphy's conversion and his re- 
lease from the power that had made him a *' prisoner for 
life" — the penalty for murder in the second degree — for 
when he was drunk at his own hotel in Portland, he pushed 
a guest down the front stairs, and the fall killed him ; 
though God has forgiven him, the thought that he was 
guilty of even unintentional murder makes his heartache, 
and large tears dim his good natured eyes. The chaplain 
who addressed the thousands that Mr. Murphy's eloquence 
and earnestness had attracted to assemble, was also instru- 
mental in securing the pardon which permitted him to de- 
part from the prison and return to his broken-hearted wife 
and five hungry children. After several addresses, the 
closing hymn was sung, and thousands of voices joined in 
the chorus. Mr. Murphy asked his " dear brother" to 
pronounce the benediction of peace on the vast multitude. 
So soon as the ^' Amen" is said a creaking sound is 
heard ! The platform is crowded, but is not equal to the 
weight. Its floor is four or five feet above the ground. 
Suddenly a crash is heard ! Those on the platform sud- 
denly gravitate toward its centre, and instantly reach 
the ground beneath it. The melodion is sliding toward 
the author ! With his right hand extended he checks its 
further descent. Fortunately, on the proper key-note he 



324 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

Starts " Hold the fort, for I am coming." The people 
heartily unite in the chorus, and thus a panic has been 
avoided. Though the crash of the floor of the platform 
was a moment ago heard, and those who stood thereon 
were seen suddenly sliding from its crushed centre to the 
ground beneath it, the spectators concluded that had any 
of the fallen ones' bones been broken, they would not 
lustily sing, *' Hold the fort ^ for I am coming.'^ 



THE HON. T. L. TULLOCK. 325 



CHAPTER XV. 

THE HON. T. L. TULLOCK, THE LATE POSTMASTER. 

An Old Friend who was Generally Respected — By Relatives 
and Intimate Friends he was much Beloved — He Allowed No 
Friend to Suffer if he could Relieve Him — His Death 
Lamented — The Solemn Funeral — Published Testimonials . 

Part of the several weeks which the author spent in 
Washington he was the guest of his old friend — once the 
Postmaster of Portsmouth — the Secretary of the State of 
New Hampshire. After the inauguration of General Grant 
as President, he was the chief appointment clerk to certain 
government offices. His noble heart could not long bear 
the appeals from old friends for " an official position, with 
a good room in which the sun shines;" nor could he 
long endure the lamentations of poor widows whose sons 
had to be removed from office, to make way for others who 
had been duly appointed, etc. Soon he resigned, and 
later he was appointed the Postmaster of Washington. 
Whoever may criticise the author's prudence in making 
some private matters public, he is moved to do so by a 
good motive. The Hon. T. L. Tullock, late Postmaster 
at Washington, was a devoted and liberal Methodist, 
whose talented son is now treasurer of the Post-Office. 
Several years ago the author resolved not to settle as Rector 
of St. Paul's Church, 'Hyde Park, Chicago, 111., whose rich 
congregation had offered him a good salary. He also de- 
clined to " promise to accept" a call to the Rectorship of 



326 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

a parish in the city. He believed that he could do more 
for "Christ and the Church" by doing the work of an 
Evangelist ; and without salary or bank account, he re- 
solved to send one of his sons — Joseph Fenner — to Racine 
College, and at once go forth to do what he so much de- 
sired. His old friend kindly loaned him two hundred 
dollars, to enable him to remit to the treasurer " the fees 
payable quarterly in advance^"' and to buy " the college 
uniform." 

After the Centennial celebration in Trinity Church, New 
York, the author said to the Rev. I. L. Townsend, 
S.T.D.: "How is my old friend, the Hon. T. L. Tul- 
lock ?" "He died some time ago," the Doctor answered. 
Hoping that Doctor Townsend had been misinformed, a 
letter of inquiry sent to Mr. TuUock's son, who is called 
" a High Churchman," was as soon as possible answered : 

Washington, D. C, Oct. 19, 1885. 
My Dear Bro. Bonham : Yours of recent date at hand. I have been 
so very busy in the office that I have been unable to make earlier reply. 
Your intelligence is only too true. My dear father passed away on the 
20th day of June, 1883, very quietly at Atlantic City, N. J., where he had 
gone for his health. His health had been very poor for some time pre- 
vious, but not enough to excite alarm. One thing after another conspired 
to prevent his leaving the city and obtain the respite which usually re- 
freshed him. He died before I knew of his danger. Mrs. TuUock was 
with him. Enclosed find brief account of funeral. 

Hastily yours, 

Seymour W. Tullock. 

When the author was crossing the Atlantic on board 
the steamship City of Rome, his dear old friend departed 
this life. This explains why he had not answered a letter, 
" Has the new Administration affected your official 
position ?" His spirit is now in Paradise with the spirit 
oi the " true Churchman," John Wesley. That the 
author may find an outlet for his own sorrow, which min- 



THE HON. T. L. TULLOCK. 327 



gles with that of Mr. Tullock's widow and his two sons, 
he hereby endorses the following testimonial of his be- 
loved friend's worth, which was published in \.\\& Portsmouth 
Jouj'nal, where he was well known and his departure 
deeply lamented, as well as in Washington. 

FUNERAL OF THOMAS L. TULLOCK. 

The remains of Hon. Thomas L. Tullock were on Thurs- 
day, the 2ist inst., conveyed from Atlantic City, N. J. — 
where he had died the day preceding — to his home in 
Washington, D. C. At the station, awaiting their arrival, 
were the employes of the city post-office, letter-carriers, 
Masonic delegations, and many intimate friends. Upon the 
arrival of the train the letter-carriers took a position in 
line opposite the car, from which eight of their number 
tenderly lifted the casket containing the remains. As the 
bearers passed, the line all stood uncovered, then fell in by 
twos, and proceeded in procession to the residence of Mr. 
Tullock, on Capitol Hill. 

The next morning the employes of the office assembled 
in the room of the Postmaster, and passed the following 
resolutions : 

It having pleased the All-Wise Ruler of the Universe to take from our 
midst our much beloved and honored friend, counsellor and chief, 
Thomas L. Tullock, late Postmaster at Washington, District of Colum- 
bia, it behooves us to testify in some appropriate manner our feelings of 
grief at the taking off of so honored a citizen, exemplary Christian, and 
firm friend, yvho in every relation of life was to his fellow-man just, hon- 
orable, and upright. By his death this office loses an efficient chief, whose 
superior fitness for the important position of postmaster was recognized 
by all. While he required the strictest compliance to duty, we, as his 
immediate subordinates, venerated him for his manly and benevolent 
qualities, and the unselfish interest always manifest in our behalf. /Re- 
solved, therefore. That we, the employes of the City Post Office, testify our 
appreciation and love to our late chief, and extend our heartfelt sympathy 
to his bereaved family in their great affliction. 



328 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

Resolved, That we attend the funeral in a body, and that a copy of 
these resolutions be transmitted to the afflicted family. 

Mr. F. B. Conger, the Assistant Postmaster, in the 
course of some remarks, said : 

" When called to the City Post-Office as postmaster, his 
only desire was to fulfil the duties imposed upon him to 
the credit of the office and himself, and you can all testify 
how successfully he accomplished it. Early and late, all 
day and almost all night he labored here to master the 
difficulties of a great office, and he did master them. You 
all know the improvements he made, and the improvements 
he suggested in this office, and you know the result. In 
the loss of Mr. Tullock, ladies and gentlemen, you and all 
of us have lost a friend such as can never be replaced. 
Whatever may be the history of the City Post- Office of 
Washington hereafter, you can always look back to the 
period of Mr. Tullock's service, knowing that he possessed 
one of the strongest minds, and was one of the most faithful 
and efficient of all who ever honored the position. I will, 
in closing, read an extract from a speech of Hon, John P. 
Hale, father-in-law of Secretary Chandler, in which, on 
the floor of the United States Senate, he referred to Mr. 
Tullock and his work. I read it because it expresses so 
beautifully the sentiments of all of those here assembled. 
Senator Hale said : 

" ' I say what every citizen of New Hampshire, what every citizen of 
Maine that knows anything of Mr. Tullock will bear me out in saying, a 
more upright, conscientious, honest, faithful, vigilant officer never held 
a commission under the Government from the days of Washington to the 
present time — a Christian who illustrated the sincerity of his faith by the 
purity of his life ; a man of the most exemplary integrity ; a man against 
whose reputation the breath of scandal never breathed, and a calumny was 
never uttered.* 

'* Those words, uttered as long ago as 1864, are as true 
to-day, and truer, than then." At four o'clock the same 



THE HON. T. L. TULLOCK. 329 

afternoon the remains were removed to the Metropolitan 
M. E. Church, under guard of mounted Knights Templar. 
The friends of the dead were present in large numbers. 
Among the congregation there were none of the morbidly 
curious. It was a gathering of those who had been drawn 
to Mr. Tullock in life by his sterling geniality and integrity, 
and who paid his clay the last tribute of affection. 

At a quarter of five o'clock the voice of the pastor, Rev. 
Dr. Huntley, was heard in the rear of the church repeating 
slowly : " I am the Resurrection and the Life," and the 
funeral procession appeared, slowly walking up the aisle. 
In the front were Drs. Huntley, Naylor, Hartsock, Sunder- 
land, and Norris. Following these the honorary pall- 
bearers : Ex-Mayor Emery, Hon. W. E. Chandler, Secre- 
tary of the Navy ; W. T. Hildrup, of Harrisburg, Pa. ; 
John W. Thompson, Gen. S. S. Henkle, W. R. Warner, 
of Philadelphia ; M. W. Beveridge, F. B. Conger, Assist- 
ant Postmaster. The following were selected by the 
Masonic Scottish Rite : C. W. Bennett, 33°, Albert Pike 
Consistory ; A. T. Langley, 33°, Robert Bruce Coun- 
cil ; C. C. Duncanson, '^^i' ^ Evangelist Chapter ; A. T. 
March, 32°, Mithras Lodge of Perfection ; W. W. Upton, 
Masonic Veteran Association. The following carriers and 
employes from the Post-Office then came bearing the 
casket : Messrs. Sonzenback, Huguley, Branson, Denni- 
son, Hyatt, Surpin, Nottingham, Shryock. Prayer was 
offered by Rev. Dr. Hartsock, after which the choir sang 

the hymn : 

" My Lord, thy will be done." 

Dr. Sunderland then rapidly and graphically sketched 
the life of Mr. Tullock, tracing it from early years, and 
showing how the country has become indebted to his 
judgment and faithfulness, by his integrity during the war, 
and his integrity since in the public service. 



330 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

The Rev. Dr. Naylor, of Baltimore, who had been an 
intimate friend of Mr. TuUock for some years past, th»en 
made a lengthy address. He said Mr. TuUock was a man 
of grand and peculiar character. He was pure, honest, 
firm, possessed of great endurance. He was a fine scholar, 
and his literary ability was of the finest character, and, 
like the man, simple, honest, direct. He was a man whom 
to know intimately was to love. He was a Christian. 
His religion was of a grand kind. He did not shut his 
belief up in his Bible on Sunday night and keep it there 
until the next Sunday morning. He was as pious in the 
Post-Office as he was in the Church. Several times during 
the address his voice was broken with emotion. 

" Asleep in Jesus" was sung, when the Knights Templars 
marched and took their positions about the casket, 
standing in two lines facing each other, uncovered and 
uplifted swords crossed. Upon the conclusion of their 
ritual, began the stately, beautiful, and impressive cere- 
mony of the ancient Scottish Rite, marked with great 
solemnity. 

A long line of carriages followed the remains to Oak 
Hill Cemetery, which was reached just in the early dusk. 
The light from the windows of the Gothic Chapel illu- 
minated the walks as the cortege wound slowly and solemnly 
along on foot. Here the last rites were said, and as the last 
light faded from the sky, and earth grew still, Thomas 
Logan TuUock, honored by his native city and State, hon- 
ored by the city of his adoption, honored by the chief 
men of the nation, was laid peacefully away for his last, 
sweet sleep. For many years he had been a firm believer 
in the Personal and Premillennial Advent of his Saviour. 
Often he sang : 

" Hark ! hark ! hear the blest tidings, 
Soon, soon Jesus will come. 



THE HON. T. L. TULLOSK. 33] 

Robed, robed in honor and glory. 
To gather His ransomed ones home. 

' Long, long we have been waiting, 
Who, who love His blest name ; 
Now, now we are delighting, 
Jesus is near to proclaim." 

Mr. Tullock dearly loved his family and friends ; and 
that they may meet in Christ's sinless, deathless, and sor- 
rowless kingdom, he fervently prayed, " Come., Lord lesus^ 
come quickly. ' ' 



332 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

THE AUTHOR REVISITS SCOTLAND AND ENGLAND. 

Services on Board the Cir cassia — The Rev. Lindsay Parker — 
Service in the Steerage — Dumfries, Scotland — " The Man 
who Blows his own Trumpef — Friends Departed. 

The author sailed in the steamship Circassia, and while 
crossing the ocean made the acquaintance of the Rev. Lind- 
say Parker, who was then " a good Methodist," is now 
" a good churchman," and one of the efficient ministers 
of St. George's Church, New York City. On board the 
steamer the author held a church service. The Rev. Mr. 
Parker preached on the text, " This one thing I do ;" a 
Presbyterian clergyman preached in the afternoon. The 
ship was a Christian union Bethel, and the different min- 
isters did not quarrel. In the steerage the author con- 
ducted a union service. Before it closed a devoted layman, 
who is president of an oil exchange in Pennsylvania, made 
an earnest Gospel address, which was not interrupted by a 
babel of brokers " bulling or bearing, " and the passengers 
were attentive, and grateful that they had not been for- 
gotten. 

That week-day evenings might pass pleasantly, musical 
and oratorical meetings were held. Two evenings were 
occupied by a mock trial— a lady was the plaintiff in a 
" breach of-promise" suit ; a Roman Catholic priest the 
defendant. The judge wore a red shawl and a wig which 
sailors had made from hemp ; the lawyers also wore wigs. 



THE A UTHOR RE VISITS SCO TIAND AND ENGIAND. 333 

The jury found the defendant "guilty," and the jury 
recommended that the damages be not heavy. One even- 
ing the author delivered his lecture, " Ten Days on the 
Great Eastern, when the rudder was broken and the pad- 
dle-wheels were destroyed," Hs described the dangers 
experienced or escaped ; gave sketches of some of the sol- 
emn and ludicrous scenes on board ; the appreciation of 
religious services in time of danger ; and the means of 
rescue from entombment in the " liquid grave, without a 
monument." After the safe arrival of the steamer at its 
port in Scotland, 

THE AUTHOR REVISITED DUMFRIES, 

the birthplace of the Scotch bard. Burns. Years ago, im- 
mediately after the Rev. E. P. Hammond's revival services 
had ended in Dumfries, the author held evangelistic ser- 
vices in different churches in the same town. Some people 
were more pleased with the revival modes of the former, 
others preferred those of the latter ; some were pleased with 
both ; and the churches were daily crowded. A nev^ 
church was built as a thanksgiving memorial to Almighty 
God for His blessing on the evangelistic services referred 
to. In this Memorial Church the author held an eight- 
days' mission, and preached to large congregations. At the 
same time two Evangelists from the Rev, Mr. Spurgeon's 
Tabernacle, London, held Gospel services in a large hall. 
The people were summoned to the meetings by a large 
banner paraded through the streets. One of the Evange- 
lists was a skilful musician, and led the singing by playing 
his silver cornet. Because it had been presented to him, his 
pastor, the Rev. INIr, Spurgeon, called this musical 
Evangelist ** the man who blows his own trumpet !" 

After the mission in the Memorial Church the author 
delivered a lecture in the Town Hall, entitled " Prevention 



334 THE CHURCH REVIVED, 

Better than Cure." The Mayor of Dumfries presided, and 
at the close of the lecture made an address on the impor- 
tance of securing rooms in which the young men might have 
recreation, without exposure to temptation, as the lecturer 
had suggested. When he was on his way to the Town 
Hall a gentleman who met him said : " When you held ser- 
vices in Dumfries years ago I entered the church ; your 
sermon was directed personally to me ; and that night I 
resolved, 'by God's aid, to henceforth serve Him ; and He 
has kept me from falling." After one of the sermons at 
the time referred to about two hundred remained for the 
after-meeting ; but the Evangelist could not personally 
converse with so many individually, and he said to all 
what he hoped might be useful to each. 

Several very dear Scotch friends had departed to Para- 
dise ; others have since followed them, including William 
Gregan, Esq., the devoted lay-Evangelist, who specially 
labored to lead soldiers to the Saviour. His devoted sister. 
Miss Jane Gregan, after faithful service for the Master, at 
the age of sixty-five was numbered with the faithful de- 
parted. The venerable Rev. Dr. Woods, once " The Mod- 
erator of the Free Kirk of Scotland," heard the celestial 
voice saying, " Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord 
from henceforth ; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest 
from their labors ; and their works do follow them" (Rev, 

14 : 13). 



EVANGELISTIC SERVICES IN STROUD, 335 



CHAPTER XVII. 

EVANGELISTIC SERVICES IN STROUD, SOMERSETSHIRE. 

A Temperance Hall Opened — A Stirring Lecture — Topics of the 
Gospel Services — The Salvation Army — Valuable Testimo.- 
nials — Converts Pay their Bills. 

The author hastened from Scotland, in order to comfort 
his sister, who had recently lost her husband, T. S. Pitts, 
surgeon and physician. 

SHE HEARD A VOICE FROM HEAVEN,. SAYING : 

" Child, bereaved, lean hard. 
And let Me feel the pressure of thy care. 
I know thy burden, for I shaped it ; 
Poised it in mine own hand : made no proportion 
In its weight to thine unaided strength : 
For even as I laid it on, I said, 
' I shall be near, and while thou lean'st on Me, 
This burden shall be mine, not thine ; 
So shall I keep my child within the circling arms 
Of mine own love.' Here lay it down, nor fear 
To impose it on a shoulder which upholds 
The government of worlds. Yet closer come : 
Thou art not near enough : I would embrace thy care, 
So I might feel my child reposing on my breast. 
Thou lovest Me ? I knew it. Doubt not then ; 
But loving Me, lean hard." 

To witness ** the modes of the Salvation Army," also 
to hold a series of services, we left Uley, Dursley, for 
Stroud, Somersetshire. Soon after our arrival an old 



336 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

friend, Joseph Chapman, Esq., of Frome, Somerset, who 
aided the author years ago at evangelistic services, came 
to Stroud to be present at the opening of the Lansdown 
Hall, of which he was the architect. At the evening ser- 
vice a Church-of-England clergyman delivered therein a 
lecture on Temperance, who was as earnest as the eloquent 
Canon Wilberforce. On reasonable terms the author 
secured the use of the hall for a series of services. The 
following notice was circulated : 



REV. J. W. BONHAM, 

Evangelist from New York, 
Will Preach Sunday Evening, August 31, in the 

LANSDOWN HALL, STROUD, 

ON 

"LOOKING UNTO JESUS." 

Service to co7ni7tence at Eight o'clock. 



DURINGTHE WEEK 

He will Deliver a Series of 

GOSPEL LECTURES 

On the following subjects : 

Monday Evening, , .# "Condemnation: Its Justness." 

Tuesday Evening, "Justification: Its Specific Nature." 

Wednesday Evening, . . . . . " True Repentance : Its Necessity." 

Thursday Evening, " Saving Faith : How Incited." 

Friday Evening, "Assurance: Its Blessedness." 



Service each Week Evening at 7.30. 

" The Spirit and the Bride say, Co7ne /" 



EVANGELISTIC SERVICES IN STROUD. 337 

Before the author left Stroud he studied the modes of 
the Salvation Army, but admired their moral courage more 
than some of their methods. The first service he attended 
was held in a vacated Methodist chapel. All the seats in 
the body and galleries of the old place were occupied, and 
many persons stood during the services. He was asked to 
" make a short address ;" but as the people had listened to 
several addresses he respectfully declined the kind invita- 
tion. To study the after-meeting, he stood near the central 
entrance. A gentleman in a quiet tone said : " What is 
your opinion of the Salvation Army's methods?' Not 
knowing whether he was a Jew or Turk or infidel, the 
author replied : " If you, sir, were drowning, and any one 
should grasp* you, you would not complain of the rough- 
ness of whoever, strove to save you." He was a good 
" Plymouth Brother," from whom we accepted an invita- 
tion to address the "Brethren" in their chapel. The 
brethren had so much confidence in the genuineness of the 
converts of the " Salvationists," that they spared no pains 
to induce them to come to the meetings, to be Biblically 
instructed, and to " avoid excitement." 

In Stroud the Salvation Army captains had neither fife, 
trumpet, tambourine, nor drum ; they did nothing that the 
primitive and other Methodists did not do when the author 
was a boy. A gentleman asked : " Do you not think, sir, 
that Salvation Army services v/ill bring disgrace upon re- 
ligion ?" "Not more so, sir, than the curses and blas- 
phemies of the godless, whom other Christians have failed 
to influence," he answered. 

A tradesmen said : "Since the Salvation Army came to 
Stroud their converts have paid their long unpaid bills. At 
Newcastle, the Mayor, Chief of Police, several local magis- 
trates, and two members of Parliament published their 
testimony, certifying that since a corps of the Salvation 



338 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



Army had visited Newcastle, large numbers of uneducated 
people, whom no other religious body had been able to 
influence, had become sober and peaceful citizens." And 
the Roman Catholic Cardinal Archbishop of England 
wrote a paper for a review, in which he deplored the Army's 
eccentricities ; but added : " If any of the ordained clergy 
who have received the grace of Holy Orders fail to do the 
work for which the}'' were set apart, that no more souls 
perish through priestly neglect or indifference, God, who 
is Love, will forgive those who, without the grace of Holy 
Orders, are striving to rescue and save the lost !" In some 
of the dioceses in England, rectors have organized " the 
Salvation Army of the Church of England.' One of the 
English Bishops administers the Holy Communion to as 
many of the officers of the old Salvation Army as can find 
room in the largest church. 

A prominent dry-goods merchant in Stroud travels most 
of the time, holding evangelistic services. Heis not anx- 
ious concerning his business, for he gives his employes a 
share of the profits. He also supports a home for con- 
valescents, which has benefited many. While the author 
was in Stroud this merchant minister sent for a young 
Churchman to aid the Salvationists, and he preached to 
crowded congregations. Both treated the American Evan- 
gelist with very great kindness. One afternoon, while we 
were riding, the author caused surprise by calling the 
young Churchman "a Sacramentarian/' but soon relieved 
him from his embarrassment by stating that " Lexicog- 
raphers define a Sacramentarian as one who differs from 
the Romish Church by denying the real Presence in the 
Holy Eucharist.'' 



THE GENERAL MISSION AT LUTON. 339 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

THE GENERAL MISSION AT LUTON, BEDFORDSHIRE. , 

St. Mary's Church Crowded — Services for Women only — Ser- 
vice at the Poor-house — A Novel After-meeting — Surpliced 
Choristers among the Inquirers. 

On the author's way to Luton he passed " St. Albans," 
the shrine of the first British martyr, St. Alban. On his 
arrival at Luton he hastened to St. jVTary's Church, in 
which the Rev. Mr. Aitken was conducting a Mission. After 
the morning service he received a cordial welcome from 
the Missioner, the Vicar, and later from the Missioners at 
the other churches. Services were daily held in all the 
churches in the place, and in almost every direction notices 
of the various services met the eye, printed in red or blue 
or black. The Missioners were the Revs. W. H. Aitken, 
Pelham Stokes, J. H. Lester, E. W. Warren,* and E. E. 
Meers, Vicar of Pendon, Cornwall. That all classes might 
be reached, services were also held in school- rooms, work- 
shops, and in the Town Hall.f On one occasion the author 
accompanied the Rev. Pelham Stokes and others to the 
Poor-house to comfort the paupers. They were very 
grateful, and said : " Do come again !" By permission of 
the landlords, public-houses were visited and the inmates 
invited to attend the Mission services. As the Mission was 

* At the New York Advent Mission he was the efficient Missioner. 
See Part V., Chapter XIII. 
f For women only. 



340 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

designed for the growth in grace of believers as well as the 
conversion of the godless, special noon-day services were 
also held in St. Mary's, the largest church in Luton. 
Church-party names were not sounded, and clergymen 
termed '' High," and " Low," and " Broad " attended the 
morning services for Christians, and were incited to holy 
duties. When the Holy Communion was celebrated a 
spiritual serenity prevailed, and the worshippers could 

sing : 

" Already my soul feels a sweet prelibation 

Of joys that await me when freed from probation. 
My heart is now in heaven, the Eden of love," 

On each evening previous to the public services a goodly 
number of Christians assembled in the chapel, which is 
separated from the chancel and the body of the church by 
a large stone screen. On the arrival of the Vicar, or some 
one appointed to take his place, in this chapel, in which are 
monuments of the dead who fell asleep centuries ago, ex- 
tempore prayers were offered for God's blessing on the 
public services, and short addresses were made by devoted 
laymen and the local and visiting clergy. During the con- 
tinuance of the prayer-meeting people quietly entered the 
church, and generally, at its close, not an unoccupied seat 
in the church could be found. The public services were 
opened by hearty congregational singing and brief litur- 
gical services, varied each evening, as authorized by " The 
Shortened Service Bill." The Mission sermons were ad- 
dressed chiefly to the unsaved and to those who were ask- 
ing, " What must I do to be saved ?'' At the last evening 
service so great was the interest that the two thousand 
chairs placed in the body of the church were occupied be- 
fore the appointed time for service. Even the spaces in 
the entrances and aisles, and transepts and sanctuary in 
front of the chancel rail, and the chapels on each side were 



THE GENERAL MISSION AT LUTON. 341 

crowded. When the service began, deeply fervent was the 
spirit of devotion, and very hearty the singing. Solemn 
and moving was the sermon, and the audience could not 
have listened with more devout attention. Night after 
night, with intense but subdued earnestness, the Missioner 
pointed out the successive steps to everlasting live. 

To receive additional light, hundreds remained after the 
close of the public service. But as there were many more 
than the Missioner, parish, and visiting clergy could in- 
dividually converse with, he invited as many as the place 
would hold to meet him in the chapel on the right of the 
chancel, and requested the others to remain in the nave of 
the church. Soon the chapel was filled with souls deeply 
in earnest, and among them several of the choristers, who 
had gone in without taking time to remove their surplices. 
It was an impressive sight to see kneeling with the inquirers, 
in a surplice, one here, another there, and another yonder. 
As the Evangelist could not personally converse with so 
large a number, he gave a peculiar but impressive instruc- 
tion. Having stated that whatever was essential to bring 
salvation within reach of all had been done by Jesus Christ, 
and that the acceptance of this salvation rests with two 
parties — yourselves and God^ — the Missioner inquires : 
" Have you tried the world and found its joy unsatisfac- 
tory ?" And the inquirers answer in unison : " We have." 
He now asks : " Have you resolved by God's help to turn 
your back upon the unsatisfying world and whatever to 
God is displeasing?" Hearing the answer, " We have so 
resolved," he now inquires : " Do you believe that, having 
sinned against God, you are justly under condemnation ?" 
They reply : " We do." The Missioner next inquires : " Do 
you believe that God is satisfied with what Christ volun- 
tarily suffered as a satisfaction for all your sins ?" Hear- 
ing the commingling answer of each, "I do," he says: 



342 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

" As God is satisfied, and there are but two parties in- 
volved, who else must be satisfied ?" and asks : " Are you 
satisfied ?" He now requests them to say aloud in unison : 
" O Lord, because Thou art satisfied with thy Son's atone- 
ment, I am satisfied. I accept the salvation thy love has 
provided. I trust my soul to thy great mercy. I rest my 
soul on Thee, and Thee alone." In this simple manner 
salvation-seeking souls are led step by step out of the cell 
of condemnation into the glorious liberty of the sons of 
God. Receiving the atonement, turmoil ceases, darkness 
vanishes, hope dawns, tears are wiped away, and sad faces 
become radiant. 

The author sent a comprehensive report of the mission 
at Luton to the New York Churchman. But alas, he spent 
his time and strength for naught, for it onl)^ increased 
the light and heat when the office was on fire, and it was 
burned with other copy ! Soon after the mission at Luton 
closed he returned to New York, and recommenced his 
work as missioner. 



THE PAROCHIAL MISSION IN ROCHESTER, N. V. 343 



CHAPTER XIX. 

THE PAROCHIAL MISSION IN ROCHESTER, N. Y. 

T/ie Mission in St. Luke^s Church — The Mission at Nineveh — 
The Mission at Clifton Springs — The Mission at Bloomfield 
— Services in the Presbyterian Church. 

The Episcopal clergy of Rochester invited the author to 
visit the city to preach in the different parish churches. 
He convinced them that it would be more desirable to hold 
concentrated services in one of the large churches, and that 
the respective rectors in Rochester take part in the Mission 
services. The Mission was commenced in St. Luke's 
Church, of which the Rev. H. Anstice, D.D., has for so 
mariy years been the esteemed Rector. On Ash Wednesday 
evening the Missioner preached on the mission of the 
Propliet Jonah to the Ninevites. The sermon first de- 
scribed the great wickedness of the people, and God's de- 
sire to save them ; Jonah's regret that there v^ras no San- 
hedrin canon to confine him in Judea ; his refusal to go to 
Nineveh ; his flight to Tarshish ; and the punishment for 
his disobedience, his three days' entombment within " the 
great fish," that God had provided to swallow him. The 
name of the species is not specified in the original text. 
Second, his recommission and obedience to God's man- 
date, " Go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach the 
preaching that I bid thee." Third, the prophet's arrival in 
the city ; the general alarm incited by his message, " Yet 
forty days and Nineveh shall be destroyed." Fourth, the 



344 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

general fasting and humiliation of all the people the king 
had decreed ; their confession of their sinfulness, and united 
prayers that God would manifest His saving mercy. 

The instruction after the sermon explained that God 
repents when He withholds threatened punishment, and 
saves repentant people who turn toward Him, confessing 
their sins and imploring absolution. Because the Ninevites 
had truly repented the day on which they expected destruc- 
tion — they doubtless offered united thanksgiving, that while 
they deserved the fulfilment of the awful threatening — in 
answer to their penitential prayers God showed that He is 
indeed merciful and gracious. The close of the instruc- 
tion set forth that while Jonah was the great prophet to the 
people of ancient heathendom, at a later period of the 
world's history St. Paul became the great Apostle of the 
Gentiles, God thus manifesting His uncontrollable Sover- 
eignty in saving simultaneously all the people of the great 
city of Nineveh or a solitary person of any place or nation. 
None, therefore, may prescribe how many ought to be saved 
at a given time ; nor the intervals between the manifesta- 
tions of God's undeserved mercy to any whom His Holy 
Spirit moves to truly repent and to cry : *' God be merci- 
ful to me a sinner !" 

The Mission was continued for twelve days. Different 
rectors took part in the services. A number of mutes oc- 
cupied part of one of the galleries. Their instructor, in the 
sign language, translated the sermons. The Rector heartily 
co-operated with the Missioner to°make the Mission efficient, 
and a number of his devoted people prayed that God's 
blessing crown it. 

Services for " women only" were conducted in the chapel 
by Mrs. Bonham, who excels as a Bible Reader. St. Luke's 
Chapel was filled, and her expositions and exhortations were 
highly appreciated. Soon afterward the Rt. Rev. Cleve- 



THE PAROCHIAL MISSION IN RO^CHESTER, N Y. 345 

land Coxe, D.D., administered the solemn rite of Confir- 
mation. After the close of the service he cheered the Mis- 
sioner by kindly expressing his appreciation of his efforts 
in Rochester and elsewhere to promote the welfare of his 
diocese. Convinced that parochial Missions, conducted in 
a churchly mode, through God's blessing, promote devo- 
tion in Christians and awaken the dead to life, the fervent 
Bishop of Western New York doubtless rejoices that the 
Advent Mission in New York City was successful, and 
that the earnest Rector of his old parish had secured Bishop 
Elliott and Bishop Tuttle to be the Missioners in Calvary 
Church. 

THE MISSION AT CLIFTON SPRINGS, N. Y. 

Soon after the Mission in Rochester the Missioner was 
invited to spend a week at Dr. Foster's Sanitarium, Clifton 
Springs. The Rector of St. John's Church was partially 
recovering from an attack of fever. To aid him, heat once 
freely commenced an eight days' Mission. At every ser- 
vice the church was filled, and a general interest in the 
parish awakened. After the Mission he preached in the 
chapel of the Sanitarium. Convalescents occupied the 
pews, and the invalids listened on their couches in places 
adjacent to the chapel. By special invitation he preached 
in the Methodist Church to a large congregation, whose 
Methodistic fervor made the preliminary liturgical worship 
inspiring. The people uttered a hearty " Amen " at the 
proper time, but the responses were not " vociferous." 
He afterward learned that the Mission in the Episcopal 
Church, and the sermons in the Sanitarium Chapel and 
Methodist Church had removed much prejudice, and awak- 
ened an interest in favor of the old historic church, before 
unknown at Clifton Springs. The Missioner had board 
and medical baths and a comfortable room at the Sani- 



846 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

tarium for over two weeks ; but the liberal proprietor, Dr. 
Foster, refused to receive any compensation. 

THE MISSION IN ST. PETER's CHURCH, EAST BLOOMFIELD. 

By special arrangement, made after one of the services 
in St. John's Church at Clifton Springs, the Evangelist 
visited East Bloomfield, N. Y. The Rector of St. Peter's 
Church, who met him on his arrival, said : " Let us hold a 
council of war. On my way to the depot 1 visited some 
of my influential parishioners. They said it would be use- 
less for a Church Evangelist to attempt to hold revival ser- 
vices in Bloomfield. Call with me to persuade them to 
consent that you hold a Mission in our church." He re- 
plied that he would willingly call to see them, but not for 
the object specified. If the Rector desired him to conduct 
a Mission he would do so. After conversation at the Rec- 
tory, the Missioner accepted from the Rector an invitation 
to hold a Mission, and arrangements were made to circu- 
late notices when it would commence. 

The congregations grew so large that for the Mission 
service the first Sunday evening the Presbyterian Church 
was kindly loaned. It was twice as large as St. Peter's 
Church, but was filled. Before the Evangelist went to the 
pulpit, behind which the Presbyterian and the Methodist 
minister would sit, the Evangelist, who wore his surplice, 
comforted them, saying : " You will wear a white robe at 
the marriage supper of the Lamb." The service before 
the sermon was a selection from the Prayer-Book. In view 
of the great interest the Mission awakened, it was con 
tinned during the second week. To accommodate the 
people — some of whom came several miles — the closing ser- 
mon was preached in the Presbyterian Church. As the 
Methodist clergyman had given up his Sunday evening 



THE PAROCHIAL MISSION IN ROCHESTER, N. V. 347 

service, that his people might attend the closing Mission 
service, before the Evangelist left Bloomfield, in fulfilment 
of his promise, he gave a temperance lecture in the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church on ** The Fatal Festival ; or, The 
Drunken Monarch" who trembled when he read : " Mene, 
Mene, Tekel, Upharsin." In explaining the import of the 
sentence, Daniel said : *'' Peres : thy kingdom is divided and 
given to the Medes and Persians." Peres is Upharsin, 
without the conjunction and suffix 



348 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER XX. 

MISSIONS IN VARIOUS CHURCHES. 

The Church of St. John the Evangelist., the Anthon Memorial — 
The Chapel of the Reconciliation — Christ Chapel., Brooklyn — 
St. Jafnes' Church — St. Luke' s Churchy Pittsburg. 

A FEW years ago the author held an eight days' Mission 
in the Church of St. John the Evangelist, New York. At 
the afterrloon services the Rev. Mr. Dorman read the ser- 
vice and led the singing. The sermons were addressed to 
Christians, for the promotion of 'growth in grace. The 
evening sermons were addressed to the unregenerate and 
to persons asking : " What must I do to be saved ?" The 
large church was not filled, but all present were devoutly 
attentive. In the closing sermon the Missioner said : 
" Missioners cannot do the work of God the Holy Ghost ; 
so that if a Missioner cannot effect results in eight days 
which have not been produced by the Rector's hard labors 
in so many years, the people should not be disappointed." 
The Rector, Dr. De Costa, after the service, said : " I am 
satisfied respecting the result of the Mission, which has 
already increased the fervor of my Vestrymen." Not long 
afterward other rectors in the city and the Rector of St. 
John the Evangelist began the prayerful preparation for 
the New York Advent Mission. The Rev. Dr. Bunns's 
Mission in this church is described in Part V., Chapter XXI. 

In the Church of the Reconciliation, New York, after a 
short notice, the author conducted an eight days' Mission. 



MISSIOA^S IN VARIOUS CHURCHES. 349 

As the former Minister had been engaged as temporary as- 
sistant at the Church of the Holy Trinity, some of the flock 
had followed their old shepherd. At the Mission services 
the congregations were not large, but very attentive. The 
Mission changed the current of thought respecting " chapel 
troubles." The Rev. Mr. Perkins, the recently appointed 
Pastor, had much to discourage him. He was equal to 
the emergency, and soon troubled elements were calmed. 
Under his judicious ministrations the beneficent agencies 
of the chapel are again prosperous. The Rev. Arthur 
Brooks, D.D., the Rector, is deeply interested in whatever 
pertains to the interests of the chapel. The Rev. Dr. Fair, 
of Baltimore, was the Missioner in this chapel during the 
Advent Mission. In Christ Chapel, Brooklyn, L. I. — the 
Rev. Dr. Bancroft, Rector, the Rev. W. Hyde, Minister — 
an eight days' Mission was conducted by the author. All 
the services were well attended. The Minister, Missioner, 
and Christian workers were encouraged. 

The Right Rev. C. Whithead, D.D., invited the author 
to visit Pittsburg, Pa., to conduct a Lenten Mission in St. 
James' Church and in St. Mark's Church, south side. 
After his arrival in Pittsburg, before the Mission com- 
menced, he delivered a lecture in St. Andrew's Church on 
Church Life promoted through Parochial Missions. 

The managers of the large mills kindly prolonged the 
dinner-hour of hundreds of their employes, and ordered 
that the steam be shut off, that they might listen to an ad- 
dress by the Missioner. They sang the hymns heartily and 
listened to the addresses attentively, at the close of which 
they were invited to " come to the Mission in St. James' 
Church in the evening." The Bishop took active part in 
the services in the two churches named. The daily papers 
published favorable reports of the services. The Mission 
in St. Mark's Church was closed by a discourse on Apos- 



350 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

tolic Succession. Christians of all names were present, 
most of whom believed in a succession, but that their own 
ministers are essential parts of the ministerial line. 

The Bishop, clergy and laity of Pittsburg treated the 
author with very great kindness. The social sunshine 
seemed to neutralise the effect of the smoke ; and he often 
recalls the pleasant month that he spent among his old and 
new friends in Pittsburg. 

The Rector's report of the Mission was published in The 
Churchtnan. Not long ago he told the Missioner that a 
number of the strangers who attended the services have 
become regular worshippers, some of whom have been con- 
firmed. 

A sketch of parochial missions in Oil City, Franklin, 
Bradford, and Philadelphia, Pa., is contained in the Church 
Revived, Part IV,, Chapter VII. 



PREFA TOR Y NOTES. 351 



PART IV, 



PREFATORY NOTES. 

The Rt. Rev. W. C. Magee, D.D., Lord Bishop of Peter- 
borough, in his sermon on " The Missionary Trials of the 
Church," preached in St. Bride's Church, Fleet Street, 
London, April 30th, 1868, said : " It is the awful privilege 
of the Church of Christ that she is called to a share of the 
work of her Lord. The ministry of reconciliation which 
He has committed to us is still His ministry on earth. The 
mission of ambassadors for God to man, on which He 
entered in the days of His flesh. He is accomplishing still 
through His Church by the Spirit. As the Father dwelt, 
in all the fulness of the Godhead, in Him whom He sent 
into the world, so does Christ, in all the fulness of His 
Divine Sonship, still dwell in His mystical body, the 
Church. The Word is still flesh, still tabernacles among 
men, still manifests through human form the glory of God, 
and speaks, with human voice, the message of God's love 
— * Go ye into all the world ; ' ' Preach the Gospel to every 
creature ; ' here is the Word that clothes the Church of Christ 
with His prophetical office, * Behold, I am with you al- 
ways ; ' he that heareth you heareth me ; here is the Word 
that tells her that her voice of prophecy is still His voice. 
So when, as ambassadors for Christ, we beseech men, it is 



352 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

as though God did beseech them by us ; when we pray 
them in Christ's stead to be reconciled to God, we are 
working together with Christ. It is us, with us, that 
Christ, for whom we work, is working for and with God. 

** This is an awful privilege ! A privilege, because with 
the work of our Lord we inherit His reward. . . . But it 
is an awful privilege ; for to share the work of Christ is to 
share His trial and His temptation. His work is warfare. 
It is invasion of the kingdom of Satan by the kingdom of 
God, and it provokes still all the deadly enmity of Satan 
that it provoked at the first. The servant is as his Mas- 
ter. . . . And just so far as our work is identical with His, 
the nature of our trial will be identical too. The closer 
the disciple draws to his Lord, the nearer does the tempter 
draw near to Him. The more the presence of the Lord fills 
His Church, the more does that presence attract the fiercer 
assaults of the enemy. 

"And if this be so, then it follows that the missionary 
work of His Church must have its special dangers and 
temptations. It is so entirely work for Christ, it is so truly 
work for the doing of which His presence is so specially 
promised, that in it she must expect especial assaults of the 
tempter, and must need against these a double portion of 
the Spirit of her Lord. . . . Work for Christ is successful 
just in proportion as it is done in the Spirit of Christ. . . . 
Our mission is indeed divine ; and when we meet to record 
our vows of dedication, and hope to return each to his own 
work in the ministry wherever God hath cast it, with a 
fresh baptism of the Spirit, with a brighter, clearer vision 
of the open heaven and the glory of Him who stands at 
God's right hand, with a deeper echo in our hearts of that 
voice which speaks to us in every new triumph of the cross, 
' This is my beloved Son, hear ye Him,' now should we 
especially remember that the tempter and accuser will as- 



PREFATORY NOTES. 353 

suredly be present too ; now especially have we need to 
listen not only to the voice which speaks from heaven 
words of approval- and encouragement, but to the voice 
that speaks from the wilderness words of loving warning 
and counsel. . . . The ambition of the Church is not to 
win the world by surrendering the faith, but to win souls 
by proclaiming the faith. 

" Pray for the Church of Christ in this her last trial^ that 
she may have grace to be faithful ; grace to hold fast in all 
its integrity the treasure Christ has given her for the world — 
the faith committed to the saints. . . . Her life is the Word 
of the Lord ; pray that she may never prefer life to the 
Word. Her power is in the promised presence of her Lord 
in all her ways ; pray that she may never claim the prom- 
ise while she errs from the appointed way. Her glory is 
in the loyal worship and service of the Lord her God ; 
pray that she may never seek to win a present triumph by 
disloyal homage to His enemy and hers ; pray that she 
may be delivered from the spirit of cowardly, unbelieving 
selfishness by the spirit of brave, self-sacrificing faith ; from 
the spirit of presumption by the spirit of Godly fear ; from 
the spirit of false ambition by the spirit of true loyalty. 
So, against the wiles of the tempter may she be able to- stand 
fast in the Lord, and having done all, stand in His name 
and for the sake and in the power and spirit of her Lord." * 

The earnest and fervent Bishop of Peterborough is still 
actively working for " Christ and the Church." He is not 
afraid of holy enthusiasm and regulated fervor. In view of 
the fears that rectors and missioners are becoming " sensa- 

* Mr, Thomas Whittaker has published the volume of Dr. Magee's 
sermons, entitled, " The Gospel of the Age ; " and if more of the clergy 
were aware of its great value, the edition would soon be exhausted, and 
a larger edition needed. 



354 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

tional," he delivered a lecture on Sensationalism. Re- 
specting those who pray : 

" Give tongues of fire and hearts of love 
To preach the reconciling word ; 
Give power and unction from above, 
Where'er the joyful sound is heard." 

The Bishop wisely said : " Let us not try to put a hand of ice 
upon their lips of holy fire." In behalf of those who earnest- 
ly " seek for Christ's sheep who are scattered abroad, and for 
His children who are in the midst of this naughty world, that 
they may be saved through Christ forever," archbishops 
and bishops, rectors and missioners, are fervently praying : 
*' Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, who hast given to 
us Thy only and most dearly-beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to 
be our Redeemer and the Author of everlasting life ; who 
after He had made perfect our redemption by His death, 
and was ascended into heaven, and who sent abroad into 
the world His apostles, prophets, evangelists, doctors, and 
pastors for the salvation of mankind ; we render unto Thee 
most hearty thanks, we praise and worship Thee ; and we 
humbly beseech Thee that we may continue to show our- 
selves thankful for these and all Thy other benefits, and 
that we may daily increase and go forward in the knowl- 
edge and faith of Thee and Thy Son, so that Thy holy 
Name may be forever glorified and Thy blessed kingdom 
enlarged ; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and 
reigneth with Thee in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, 
world without end. Amen." 



THE STEAMSHIP CITY OF ROME. 355 



CHAPTER 1. 



THE STEAMSHIP CITY OF ROME. 



The Rev. Dr. Freshman — The Conversion of His Father — Re- 
ligious Discussion — Services in the Grand Saloon — Devout 
Thanksgiving — Safe Arrival in Liverpool. 

When the author and his son Clarence crossed the ocean, 
the Rev. J. Freshman was one of the agreeable passen- 
gers, and they often conversed respecting the relationship 
of the descendants of Abraham to the Christian Church. 
They did not on all points agree respecting the interpretation 
of several of the Messianic prophecies, but they differed in a 
spirit of " brotherly love," and uttered no anathemas on 
Jews or Gentiles, Turks or infidels ! Rabbi Freshman's 
son Jacob was born in Hungary, April 14th, 1844. When 
he was twelve years of age his father was officially trans- 
ferred to Canada, as the duly appointed rabbi of the Jewish 
Synagogue in Quebec. At the age of thirteen his son was 
confirmed by his father in the Jewish Synagogue at Quebec. 

By a series of extraordinary providences the Rev. Dr. 
Freshman was moved to embrace Christ as the true Mes- 
siah. He at once used his influence to lead the members 
of his household to accept Him as the only Saviour. The 
grace of God triumphed over Jewish prejudice, and trans- 
formed opponents into sincere disciples of the predicted 
" Shiloh." The converted rabbi *' was honored by being 
appointed the first Wesleyan missionary to the Germans in 
Canada." 



356 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

^One of the first members of the family to follow in his 
father's footsteps was the lad Jacob, for having diligently- 
perused the Old Testament Scriptures, the Holy Spirit 
made him see clearly that Jesus is truly the Son of God. 
Subsequently he attended the fervent evangelical preach- 
ing of the Rev. J. Elliott, at the Wesleyan Church in 
Quebec, and it was through his instrumentality that he 
was led to see himself a sinner. For a considerable time 
his experiences were most painful, and to him the future 
seemed without a ray of hope. Often did he lie upon the 
ground in the darkness of the night, calling upon God 
for mercy, and when the terrible storm ceased and his bur- 
den of sin departed, he rejoiced with joy unspeakable and 
full of glory. 

A love for the souls of the unsaved around him now filled 
Mr. Freshman with an intense enthusiasm. His first efforts 
were in the Sunday-school, but his qualifications clearly in- 
dicated that God had fitted and intended him for service in 
a wider field. He was soon made a class-leader, and even- 
tually constrained by his father to stand up in his pulpit at 
Hamilton, where Dr. Freshman was then located, to preach 
the unsearchable riches of Christ. 

One day Dr. Freshman received a telegram from Mon- 
treal, summoning him to a missionary breakfast. His com- 
pliance necessitated his absence from home on the Sunday, 
and it was suggested to him that his son Jacob might 
perhaps occupy his pulpit on that da)^ " It is true," says 
the good Doctor, " he was only eighteen years of age ; but 
I knew he had a mind equal to the emergency, notwith- 
standing his youth. When I mentioned the subject to him 
he thought I was beside myself. I continued to urge him 
until near midnight, and in a few hours I was to start on 
my journey. At length he reluctantly consented." Al- 
though he had been unable to make any preparation, the 



THE STEAMSHIP CITY OE ROME. 357 

young man's ministrations gave unbounded gratification 
to the people, and were enriched by the blessing of God. 

He was next duly appointed as a regular local preacher 
by the Rev. Dr. Rice, and shortly afterward entered the 
regular ministry, in which his experience has been very 
varied. The Rev. J. Freshman, our fellow-passenger, had 
the most satisfactory credentials and the highest commen- 
dations to eminent Christians in England who are interested 
for the welfare of Jews. 

On the day of sailing, through a heavy fog, the City of 
Rome ran aground, and her^reat engines were powerless 
to propel her into a place of safety. At high tide on the 
following day several powerful steamers and tug-boats 
succeeded in slowly drawing the huge vessel into deeper 
waters ; and beneath a bright sky she proceeded on her 
voyage. When practicable to have public worship in the 
large saloon, the passengers rejoiced that the steamer had 
been in no way damaged and no passenger injured. From 
many grateful hearts the prayer ascended : " O most 
mighty and gracious God, Thy mercy is over all Thy works. 
. . . Thou hast shown us how both winds and seas obey 
Thy command, that we may learn even from them, here- 
after, to obey Thy voice and to do Thy will. . . . And, we 
beseech Thee, give us such a sense of this great mercy as 
may engage us to a true thankfulness, such as may appear 
in our lives by a humble, holy, and obedient walking before 
Thee all our days ; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to 
whom, with Thee and the Holy Spirit, be all glory and 
honor, world without end. Amen." 

At our church service on Sunday in the ladies' cabin, the 
Rev. J. Freshman was among those who said "Amen" and 
the " Gloria' ' and the " Creed " in a tone that was audible ; 
and special mention was made by passengers of the fervor 
of the Church service. 



358 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER II. 

THE AUTHOR AGAIN IN OLD ENGLAND. 

The Guest of a?t Old Frie7id — The Scene of Former Labors — 
''The Grave of Bertie' s Mother"" — Rustic Politeness Re?ne7n- 
bered— Hasty Visits to Many Places — The Death of the 
Author s Mother. 

Through God's watch-care the City of Rome safely arrived 
in Liverpool, and the author and his son Clarence William 
became the guests of William King, Esq., at his beautiful 
residence at Bromborough, Cheshire. Years before, in the 
chapel attached to the residence of Mrs. King's venerated 
father, H. Vale, Esq., the author held evangelistic services. 
His daughter, Mrs. Bradley, the authoress of interesting 
books for children, and known as " Bertie's Mother," the 
author baptized by immersion, and also her daughter Emma. 
She was an eloquent Bible-ieader, and liberal to the poor, 
whom she faithfully instructed. When about to " depart 
this life," a friend who was anxious that she " leave a dying 
testimony," received from the dying Christian this answer : 
" My life is my testimony." It was truly so ; for while 
she lived in her father's elegant mansion, surrounded with 
verdant lawns and beautiful flowers, in order to save more 
money to aid the poor, she allowed herself but one best 
dress each year, but she always looked "stylish." With 
Mr. and Mrs. King, the author and his son visited her grave 
in Neston Churchyard, and the graves of " Bertie," 



THE AUTHOR AGAIN IN OLD ENGLAND. 359 

** Ernie," "Clara," and "Emma," and read on their 
tombstone the eulogistic but true inscription. 

The author, aided by friends from Liverpool, years ago, 
held a series of evangelistic services in the chapel at Neston. 
Several persons, through God's blessing, were converted. 
A great religious interest was awakened, and at some of 
the services the chapel was so crowded that not another 
person could find standing room. As an instance of the 
genuine politeness of " village rustics," he here records an 
act of unsolicited kindness : " On our way to Neston on a 
dark evening the horse stumbled against a stone, and be- 
came frightened. After one of the evening services a 
number who were present soon had their lanterns ready, 
and followed on each side of the carriage, that the coach- 
man might seethe stones in the road, turn aside, and avoid 
an accident. Though not in any book on etiquette, was 
not this real politeness ?" 

The author, accompanied by his son Clarence and Mr. 
King, visited the ancient Cathedral at Chester, which was 
undergoing repairs and decorations. The " quiet colors" 
of the costumes of the worshippers resembled a flower gar- 
den without tulips or roses. English ladies do not wear their 
drawing-room or opera attire in places of worship. The 
services were devotional and the sermon was instructive. 
When a new clergyman had been appointed to one of the 
cures in this old city of the Romans, the present Bishop 
was asked : " What do you think of the Rev. Mr. 's doc- 
trinal views ?" The cautious Bishop said : " I think that 
he is nearly six feet in height !" After the service in the 
Cathedral they heard the band of the Salvation Army in the 
streets, and went to their " barracks." They were very 
earnest, and spoke and prayed with fervor, and, like the 
"old-fashioned Methodists," looked around for sinners 
who were willing to be prayed for, and to be told in the 



360 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

prayer or words that followed how to come to Christ, who 
would forgive all their sins then and there, and send them 
home singing, '* Glory, Hallelujah !" 

The author while in England accompanied his son. to the 
principal cities, as he might never again have the opportu- 
nity. They visited museums, picture-galleries, cathedrals, 
and other places of interest, so that when they retired for 
the night they could fall asleep without an anodyne. They 
visited Westminster Abbey, and asked the verger to direct 
them where to see the monument to the Wesleys. But when 
they saw beneath the marble bust of John Wesley the sen- 
tence, " The World is my Parish," they were surprised, for 
the reasons mentioned in " The Church Revived," Part I., 
Chapter VI. , page 25. 

Clarence was pleased to see the Houses of Parliament, 
which his father had, on former visits, seen again and again. 

" The House of Lords differs from the House of Commons 
in many respects beyond that of the hereditary principle. 
The two chambers are in their physical aspects wholly dis- 
similar. In the House of Commons no effort has been 
made to achieve grandeur or even dignity of appearance. 
It is literally a workshop, and is rigorously plain and busi- 
ness-like in all its arrangements. Many people who visit 
.the House of Commons for the first time express surprise 
at the smallness of the chamber. The assembly fills so 
large a place in the mind of the world that, unconsciously, 
strangers imagine a magnificent hall of broad and lofty 
proportions. The House of Lords will more nearly gratify 
expectation of this character. It is a handsome, roomy 
chamber, dowered with the soft, rich light that strays 
through stained-glass windows. In the Commons every 
inch of space on the fioor of the House is impressed into 
the service of members. Under the gallery by ihe door 
there is a row of benches which will accommodate a score 



THE AUTHOR AGAIN IN OLD ENGLAND. 361 



or so of strangers. Otherwise no stranger may appear on 
the floor of the House while it is in session. In the Lords, 
at either end, there are comparatively roomy spaces for 
strangers. Ladies are admitted to little pens near the bar, 
and members of the Commons are at liberty to enter at 
will and take up standing room in this part of the House. 

' ' At the other end, where the throne stands, there is space 
reserved for Privy Councillors and the eldest sons of peers. 
Mr. Gladstone, on the rare occasions of his visits to the 
House of Lords, does not stand within the rails, his favorite 
position being at the corner of the bench where the bishops 
sit. It was here, leaning upon the edge of the bench, he 
heard Lord Salisbury's speech which settled the fate of the 
Franchise Bill in the autumn session of 1884. On great 
occasions Sir William Harcourt, Sir Michael Beach, Sir 
Richard Cross, and other Privy Councillors congregate 
behind the rail which guards the throne. I never saw Mr. 
Chamberlain availing himself of the privilege of listening 
to a debate in the Lords. He probably thinks his time 
might be more usefully employed. 

" While the chamber of the House of Lords is more im- 
posing to look at, it is not nearly so easy to speak in as its 
more modest neighbor. The House of Commons was not 
always endowed with the acoustic properties which now 
make it one of the best chambers for debating purposes 
the world possesses. When the Commons first met in their 
new home it was found almost impossible for a man to 
make himself heard. All kinds of devices were tried, and 
finally the expedient of the glass roof was hit upon. It is 
among the things not generally known that the glass ceil- 
ing of the House of Commons hides a noble roof upon 
which skilled carvers bestowed infinite care. The Com- 
mons had to consider whether they would retain the fair 
proportions of their chamber or sacrifice them to utility. 



362 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

They chose the latter course, and so the beautiful roof is 
hidden away. Possibly a similar sacrifice of ornamentation 
might bring about equally desirable results in the House 
of Lords. But the Lords stick to their architectural endow- 
ments, and let their speeches take their chance."* 

In the Visitors' Gallery, the author had his note-book, 
.and was writing notes. Instantly he heard a hissing whistle,, 
looked around to see who was misbehaving, but was amazed 
to learn he was the transgressor ! The speeches of the 
members are carefully trimmed by skilful Parliament re- 
porters before they are sent to the newspapers. As no 
visitor is allowed to take notes, he cannot make an inac- 
curate report of any speech or even a single sentence, or 
" compare notes" with what is published in the " dailies." 

The author's son was more interested in what he saw in 
the old Tower of London, and the British Museum, and 
the Fisheries, and the Menageries than in the Houses of Par- 
liament. He also went with Clarence to the Royal Albert 
Hall when ten thousand people were therein listening to 
the prima-donnas of the musical world, but had walked 
so many miles, that they were too tired to enjoy the concert. 
They also visited Ireland, Scotland, France, and Wales, 
and saw the principal objects of interest. In Landudno, 
Clarence was pleased with the picturesque scenery, but 
more pleased to ride in a Welsh bathing-carriage and to 
swim like a fish in the waters of this fashionable bathing 
resort. At Bangor they attended service in a Welsh 
church and at the ancient Cathedral ; also attended one 
of a series of evangelistic services on ground fitted up to 
accommodate many thousands of Welsh Christians ; but 
as they could only understand the " Amens," they could 
only appreciate the musical voices of the singers or the 

* H. W. Lury. 



THE AUTHOR AGAIN IN OLD ENGLAND. 363 

speakers. They visited the ruins of ancient castles and 
many objects of interest, the names of which have not 
been mentioned. 

As the author's mother had not seen either of her grand- 
children born in America, he took Clarence to see her, and 
hired a carriage to drive them to the places of interest in 
the Cathedral City, Worcester. She was eighty-four years 
of age, but without spectacles could read the small print in 
a Bible which Clarence presented to her as a parting re- 
membrance. A few months later she was summoned to 
depart from this life. During her illness she was very 
weak, but retained the use of all her faculties. When her 
daughter Lizzie arrived, her mother with a beaming face 
said : " Happy, happy, happy ! My Saviour is so pre- 
cious !" Within a few days she calmly fell asleep ; and the 
author's sister wrote him, that " even after her departure 
she looked so peaceful." 

"Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep, 
From which none ever wake to weep." 

Flowers adorn her grave, where her dust reposes, await- 
ing her Saviour's appearing to raise His righteous dead, 
and translate His living saints. Oh, how Providential that 
we visited England to see her before her departure to Para- 
dise ! 

" Oh change ! wondrous change ! 
Burst are her spirit bars ; 
One moment here in mortal prayer, 
The next beyond the stars." 



364 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER III. 

THE AUTHOR AND HIS SON AT SURREY MOUNT. 

St. Pete7' s Church., Fo7'est Hill— The Faithfjtl Labors of the 
Vicar— The Bishop of London — The Bishop of Rochester — 
The Bishop of Lichfield — Lay Helpers Welcofned — The Arch- 
bishop of Canterbury — The London Scandal— The Purity So- 
ciety— The Right Rev. LL. C. F otter, D.D. 

Before the author and his son sailed for home they were 
the guests of F. J. Hormman, Esq., at one of his mansions, 
" Surrey Mount," Forest Hill, near the Crystal Palace, 
Sydenham. Near his magnificent residence he has a private 
museum of incalculable value. Nearly every week he in- 
vites a company to visit " Surrey House," a former resi- 
dence, and with his curators he takes great delight in show- 
ing the visitors his numerous curiosities, after which he 
invites them to " take tea." Mr. and Mrs. Hormman are 
highly accomplished and very hospitable. Their home is 
an "earthly Paradise," and they take great delight in mak- 
ing their guests happy. By invitation of the Vicar, the 
author preached four sermons in St. Peter's new church to 
large congregations ; but he insisted that the preacher wear 
a hood over his surplice, which did not injure it. The Rev. 
W. Calvert, the vicar, commenced church services in an iron 
chapel. Through God's blessing he now has a large con- 
gregation. The new church was soon too small to hold 
the increasing congregation, and the church was length- 
ened, without destroying the harmony of its proportions. 



THE A UTHOR A T SURRE V MO UNT. 365 

F. J. Hormman, Esq., liberally gave one thousand pounds 
sterling to complete the spire. At the reception of the 
Lord Bishop of Rochester, at Grace House, Broadway, 
when the author said he had officiated for the Vicar of 
St. Peter's Church in his diocese, the Bishop pleasantly an- 
swered : " Yes ; but since that time I have consecrated the 
church." The Rev. Vicar is also the patron. He has 
commenced church services in a hall or chapel about a mile 
distant, and the old iron church, in which St. Peter's 
parish was born, is now used for lectures and a school. 

LAY HELPERS NOW WELCOMED. 

The Lord Bishop of London laments that the proportion 
of numerous new churches in his vast diocese has been 
little more than one church to every six thousand of the 
added population during the time of their erection. To 
bring the num.erical force of the clergy theoretically into 
anything like due proportion to the souls in his diocese, 
two hundred more are needed. The Bishop admits that in 
a national Church all persons in his diocese have a right to 
her services, to a place in her churches, and to the ministry 
of her clergy. Because for many thousands the Bishop has 
neither churches in which they may assemble nor minis- 
ters to serve them, he gladly received the aid of devoted 
laymen. But though his Association of Lay Helpers num- 
bers about five thousand, he laments that much that ought 
to be done is still left undone. 

In the diocese of Rochester there are but about five hun- 
dred and thirty-five clergymen for a population of one 
million eight hundred thousand ! Some of the single par- 
ishes have souls enough for the care of thirty ministers. 
One parish includes thirty-three thousand souls, another 
thirty thousand, and others descend from twenty-five thou- 
sand to less than one thousand ! Bishop Thorold, aware 



366 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

that no rector can minister to thirty-three thousand 
souls, and must leave essential work undone, formed a 
diocesan society of missionary clergymen and lay helpers 
to co-operate with the rectors and vicars in meeting the 
soul wants of the multitudes for a season, by the national 
Church, wholly neglected. And that multitudes for whom 
Christ died might no longer be left to perish, other bishops, 
as in the Primitive Church, have made " lay ministrations 
canonical." 

The Lord Bishop of Lichfield speaks with much apprecia- 
tion of the work of lay evangelists in his diocese, and, with 
other bishops, he believes these laymen will add to the 
efficiency of the Church of England in reaching the masses. 

THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND'S WORKINGMEN's SOCIETY. 

In the fall of 1885 the ninth anniversary of this society 
was held in London. The Bishops of Southwell and Col- 
chester were among the preachers on the occasion. The 
annual meeting was large and enthusiastic. The Presi- 
dent's address said the society had at last entered upon 
its legitimate work in the home mission field, A great and 
good work had already been done, but members must not 
rest satisfied with it. The branches must enlist every avail- 
able assistance to carry out a daily, steady, persistent con- 
flict between holiness and unholiness, purity and unclean- 
ness, sanitary arrangements and reeking foulness, cheerful, 
healthy, elevating amusements and public-house singing, 
saloons and low-typed music-halls ; by holding out the 
helping hand in time of need, not pauperizing honest pov- 
erty, or encouraging rags, dirt, and debauchery with " con- 
current endowments" in the shape of ill-advised charity. 
The well-mended, scrupulously clean garment often cov- 
ered an aching heart and real poverty, which, if by timely 
help were once placed on firm ground, would fight its own 



i 



TBE AUTHOR A T SURRE Y MO UNT. 367 

battle ; but it was one of the mistakes of the present day 
to suppose that rags and grime and a pitiful whine was the 
sure proof of want and necessity. To do such work was 
not so difficult now as it had been in times past, for lay 
work and lay help were more than ever recognized, and 
scarce a Diocesan Conference meets but the layman's place 
in the economy of the Church's work demanded their at- 
tention and met their approval. 

LAY HELP NOT TO BE FEARED. 

There need be no trembling terror at lay help. The as- 
sertion of itself was butthe result of the Church's renewed 
life, and must be met and utilized ; it could not be set 
aside. The fear that it would not be kept within bounds 
was an idle and unworthy one, for as men read, thought, 
and realized the teaching of the Church, the Prayer-Book, 
and the Bible, they had less desire to assume an extreme 
attitude or overstep the bounds of decency and order. He 
spoke confidently and with knowledge when he said : 
" There is no desire on the part of the laity of the Church 
in general, and of the members of the Church of England 
Workingmen's Society in particular, to carry the Ark of 
God." They had sense enough to know that God had 
chosen men from among men for that sacred office ; neither 
would they incur the sin of presumption by putting forth 
their hands to steady it if they thought it in danger ; but 
they did claim the right to tell their fellow-men what the 
Lord hath done for their own souls, and in plain, every- 
day language tell of the danger of sin and that safety which 
is in the Saviour. He had for years been a worker in the 
vineyard, but never without sanction, and he challenged 
any one to say he ever sought to intrude upon the " priest's 
office." To his lay brethren he would say : *' Be faithful 
and true ;" to the clergy he would say : " Trust us." 



368 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

In their anxiety to be used as laborers in the Lord's vine- 
yard they only wished to " work on Church lines." They 
were only anxious to " ask for the old paths, where is the 
good way, and walk therein." And they were convinced 
this could be carried out within the Church's lines, yet free 
of the stiffness and the killing respectability begotten of 
the hard, iron conformity that had said " Dearly beloved 
brethren" to empty or nearly empty churches for over two 
hundred years. 

THE PRIMATE ON RESCUE WORK. 

The following address of the Archbishop of Canterbury 
was distributed at a meeting of the Church of England 
Purity Society, in Princes' Hall, London, in the fall of 1885 : 

** It will not be possible for me to attend the meeting of 
the Church of England Purity Society on August 6th, but 
I wish to be allowed to address a few words to you on the 
immediate work of our society. Its objects are unchanged 
—namely : (i) purity among men ; (2) a chivalrous respect 
for womanhood ; (3) preservation of the young from con- 
tamination ; (4) rescue work ; (5) a higher tone of public 
opinion. But it has received fresh stimulus as a society 
from what has lately happened ; and its objects are already 
seen to be less negative than some had supposed. It has 
been already made known that I was unable to approve of 
some of the modes recently adopted for obtaining a knowl- 
edge of certain facts, or of the indiscriminate diffusion of 
such knowledge. Nevertheless, all England is now in pos- 
session of facts said to have been long known. If so, the 
knowledge was certainly restricted. But, restricted or not, 
the time has already come to act upon it ; and now it has 
been thrown on us to consider at once what ought to be 
done. It has been brought out that there is a close alliance 
between voluptuous passion and brutish cruelty. Selfish- 



THE A UTHOR A T SURRE V MOUNT. 369 

ness in this form soon reaches a condition in which it does 
not shrini^ from inflicting any amount of wrong, from spoil- 
ing the whole future of its victims, and from multiplying 
the number of them indefinitely. Moreover, it actively 
demoralizes the parental and family instincts. The evil- 
doing is confined to no one class of the community. Its 
agencies are systematic and busy and bold, and have 
hitherto escaped the law. We recognize in this state of 
things certain well-known elements of the decline of nations 
in the past. -The anxieties are alive of Christians, of citi- 
zens, and of families. I cannot feel sorry that this meet- 
ing is held a little later than the main excitement. No 
solid efforts have been wanting in the Church to secure the 
objects which that excitement aims at, as to the improve- 
ment of the laws, and still more of their administration, 
and as to remedial measures. A demonstration like this 
is for the Church only an episode in its constant work. 
The refuges and homes, the persons and communities, and 
the amount of money devoted to the work as hitherto 
understood are very numerous and large. Of late few if 
any dioceses have omitted to place the subject of social 
purity in the forefront of their conferences and efforts. It 
is accordingly the duty of the Church now to convert to 
practical advance what might otherwise be a momentary 
horror not unmixed with danger, and to elevate the tone of 
the nation upon moral questions.". 

" The White Cross Society," formed by the Bishop of 
Durham, England, three years ago, has branches* in 
America ; and the second anniversary of branch No. i was 
held in the Church of St. John the Evangelist, New York 
City, February 14th, 1886. 

THE RT. REV. H. C. POTTER, D.D., ON PURITY. 

" It is for this that you are striving— do not forget it — to 



370 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

rescue God's handiwork out of the devil's clutches, and to 
lift it up to be a vessel sanctified and meet for the Master's 
use. 

" Is there any worthier task for Christian men and women 
than this ? If the motive which I have already suggested 
be not sufficient, let me suggest another. We crave, even 
in our most commonplace moments, the chance to do a 
chivalric deed, and there are young hearts here to-night 
that have throbbed and young eyes that have glowed as 
they have read of the knightly courage and heroism of 
those who, in other and earlier ages, have rescued some 
fair captive or snatched from deadly peril some young life 
threatened by coarse and brutal hands. But is there 
nothing like that for us to-day ? Believe me, no knight- 
errant riding forth with lance at rest had ever a nobler op- 
portunity than is yours to-night in this great and wicked 
city ! There are young lives here that are in peril, there 
is guileless innocence bemg lured to ruin, there is wronged 
and outraged womanhood crying aloud for deliverance, 
there is purity being dishonored and ignorance being 
betrayed, which, unless you and others are aroused, will 
soon be beyond all succor. I call on 5^ou to awake to its 
rescue! Not too soon — alas! I had almost said, well 
nigh too late— has the Church discerned the enormity of 
the danger that threatens us. I,t surrounds us on every 
side ; it poisons our literature ; it spares no age or sex ; 
it penetrates, like some deadly miasma, through all our 
accustomed barriers of defence. And unless you and I 
are awakened to the common peril it will cut through and 
rot to the very core our whole social fabric." 

The Young Men's Christian Association, New York City, 
of which Mr. McBurney is the efficient and much-beloved 
secretary, also formed a branch of the " White Cross 
Army." At a meeting at which the author was present. 



THE A UTHOR A T SURRE V MOUNT. 371 

several speakers made interesting addresses, including the 
stirring address of the Rev. F. W. Clamfett, the earnest 
assistant minister of the Rev. Dr. Cooke, the esteemed 
rector of St. Bartholomew's Church, Nev7 York City. 

The White Cross Army in England and its branches in 
America are accomplishing great good. Recently posted 
on the bulletin of Columbia College was a call for the 
students to assemble in order to form a branch of the 
Whitie Cross Armv and the meeting was well attended. 



L 



372 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER IV. 

HOMEWARD BOUND AND HOME AGAIN. 

Fellow-Passengers — General Moore — Various Entertainments — 
Dr. Colly er — Edward Murphy — Dr. Freshman — The First 
Hebrew Christian Church in New York. 

The author returned in the City of Rome to his adopt- 
ed country, and the Rev. Mr. Freshman was again a fel- 
low-passenger. They fervently conversed respecting Church 
doctrine and polity, but the " converted Jew " concluded 
to continue a " good Methodist," and the converted Gentile 
a " Catholic Churchman," and continue to pray " for all 
sorts and conditions of men," and to love " all who call 
themselves Christians." On Sunday morning the author 
conducted the Church service in the cabin ; and among the 
devout worshippers was Captain Moore, chief of the Salva- 
tion Army in America, and a subordinate officer ; also High 
and Low Churchmen, Methodists, Congregationalists, 
and Presbyterians. In the afternoon the Salvation Army 
Captain conducted a service in the steerage. Unwilling 
that the ocean's roar should drown the voices of the 
speakers and neutralize the object of the service, they 
did indeed " cry aloud, and spared not, and lifted up their 
voices like a loud trumpet/' Still, if preachers can make 
the people hear the sermon, God does not withhold His 
blessing, even if they preach in the semi-tone of the Quaker, 
or thunder like Demosthenes, or alternate the subdued 
tone with the stentorian, like the Boanerges among the 



HOMEWARD BOUND AND HOME AGAIN, 373 

Apostles. In the evening a Methodist minister preached a 
sermon in the grand saloon on God's Protecting Care. 

The Rev. Dr. Collyer, pastor of the Church of the Mes- 
siah, New York, on a week-day evening delivered his in- 
teresting lecture entitled " True Grit." He explained 
the difference between "grit" and "true grit" as analo- 
gous to that between an angel in heaven and an angel who 
is not in the realm of light. The lecturer's originality and 
Yorkshire accent added to the interest of the lecture. No 
charge was made for admission to the cabin, but those who 
heard the common-sense lecturer and saw the flashes of 
wit in the twinkling of the eyes of his happy face were 
practically asked not to go from the cabin nor close their 
eyes when the collectors approached them, expecting a con- 
tribution for the support of disabled sailors. 

One evening professional musicians entertained the pas- 
sengers by an interesting concert. Some played skilfully 
on the saloon piano, others sang solos, and others recited 
selections of prose or poetry. A temperance meeting was 
also held in the ladies' saloon, and a thrilling but judicious 
address was made by the eloquent Irish orator, Mr. Edward 
Murphy. He is a master of the emotions, and is at times 
humorous; and when he speaks with the "brogue" he 
incites a smile, if not hearty laughter ; also pathetic ; and 
when his own eyes are dimmed by tears his hearers shed 
tears. He can also be consolatory and calm the aroused 
emotion. 

The Rev. Jacob Freshman, by special request, gave one 
of his interesting lectures on " The Manners and Customs 
of the Jewish People." The lecturer wore the vestments 
of a Jewish rabbi, exhibited articles used in the ritual of 
worship, and held up fringes of garments, phylacteries, 
etc. We wished he could have shown us a temple trum- 
pet or "shawm," or explained the shape of the latter. The 



374 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

lecturer, who is a vigorous and entertaining speaker and 
a thorough master of the English language, had nothing 
but kind words to speak of his Jewish brethren, albeit he 
differs with them in religious belief. He interested the in- 
tellect by the instruction clearly imparted in pure English 
diction, with a little of his native accent. He occasionally 
incited a smile as he described some of the ancient and the 
modern customs of the Jews. He kept us wide awake dur- 
ing the delivery of the lecture, for the enthusiasm of his 
forefathers has not departed from all their descendants. 
He told us in "confidence" what the Christians in Eng- 
land gave to aid him in his efforts to lead some of the eighty 
thousand Jews in New York to accept Jesus of Nazareth as 
the Prophet, Priest, and King foretold by Moses and the 
prophets. The passengers were deeply interested, and 
highly appreciated his eloquent lecture. He has labored 
with all his soul for the welfare of his Israelitish brethren. 
Through the free-will offerings of Christians, the building 
No. 17 St. Mark's Place has been fitted up as " The First 
Hebrew Christian Church " in New York City. Jews can 
read this on the upper sign, and Gentiles on the sign under 
it. If the pastor would invite the author to bring his 
Prayer-Book and preach a sermon, he would accept the in- 
vitation. 



SERMONS IN ST. MARK'S MEMORIAL CHAPEL. 375 



CHAPTER V. 

ADVENT SERMONS IN ST. MARk' S MEMORIAL CHAPEL. 

The Rev. Brockholst Morgan — The Rev. Dr. Kranier — The 
Minister in Temporary Charge — Subjects of the Advent Ser- 
mons — The Soul' s Biblical Balance- Sheet — Profit or Loss ? 

The Rev. Brockholst Morgan daily watched the progress 
of the new Memorial Chapel Until the building was com- 
pleted. Rutherford Stuyvesant, Esq., presented the sub- 
stantial building to St. Mark's parish. It was built as a 
memorial to his departed wife, who had taken a deep 
interest in whatever pertained to the welfare of the old 
Mission Chapel. The Rev. Mr. Morgan rejoiced when the 
Rt. Rev. H. C. Potter, D.D., consecrated the new building. 
But his arduous labors for over five years and numerous 
cares made a change for rest essential — not the rest of 
inactivity, but of change of labor. Soon after the chapel 
was consecrated he resigned as the minister of the Memorial 
Chapel, became assistant minister ajL the parish church, but 
continues to labor as the chaplain of Ludlow Street Jail. 
The Rev. Mr. Morgan was highly esteemed by the people 
for his uniform kindness ; and they sorely lamented that he 
had .ceased to be their minister. The children of the Sun- 
day and the day schools dearly loved him ; and when they 
now meet him in the street they shout, ** Mr. Morgan !" 
and mutually smile. 

Soon afterward the Rev. Dr. Kramer took temporary 
charge of the people of the Chapel. He treated all worthy 



376 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

applicants for relief with uniform kindness, and his labors 
were appreciated by the '* people of the Chapel." At the 
end of three months he resigned his position, and became 
the assistant minister at the Anthon Memorial Church. In 
November, 1885, the author consented to be the temporary- 
pastor of the distracted and shepherdless little flock until 
the committee could secure a permanent shepherd. Dur- 
ing the season of Advent he preached a series of sermons 
on Eschatology, in accordance with the following circular : 

SERMONS DURING LENT. 

St. Mark's Memorial Chapel, 

TOMPKINS SQUARE, Cor. TENTH ST. and AVE. A., 

BY 

REV. J. W. BONHAM, 

Church Evangelist. 



First Sunday in Advent. — Nov, 30TH, 1884. 
A.M. — Christ's Return, Premillennial and His reign Personal. 
P. M. — Historical Prefigurations of the Day of Final Destiny. 

Friday, December sth. 
Daniel's Vision of Successive Gentile Nations. 

Second Sunday in Advent. — Dec. 7th. 
A.M. — The Day of Judgment, and why by God Appointed? 
P.M. — The Binding of Satan and the First Resurrection. 

Friday, Dec. i2TH. 
The Conflagration of the Heavens and Earth. 

Third Sunday in Advent. — Dec 14TH. 
A.M. — Abounding Iniquity a Sign of the Last Times. 
P.M. — The Final Crash of Nations, and the Times of the Gentiles Ended. 



SERMONS IN ST. MARK'S MEMORIAL CHAPEL. ^11 



Friday, Dec. iqth. 
Who will be Able to Stand before Christ's Judgment Seat ? 

Fourth Sunday in Advent. — Dec. 2ist. 
A.M. — Satan and Death Dethroned, and the Messiah Triumphant. 
P.M. — The New Heavens and Earth, and New Song of the Glorified 
Redeemer. 



Hours OF Service : — Sundays, 10.45 a.m., 7.45 P.M.; Fridays at 8 p.m. 
A Musical Service before the Sermon each Sunday evening. 

Another leaflet : 

ST. MARK'S MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 

Tompkins Sq., loth St. and Ave. A. 

Rev. J. H. Rylance, D.D., Rector ; Rev. J. W. Bonham, the Minister 

in Charge. 

Services : 

Sunday-School, 9 A.M.; Wm. V. King, Esq., Superintendent, 
Young People's Bible Class, Sunday a.m. ; M. A. Gilbert, Esq., Leader. 
Morning Prayer and Sermon, 10.45 a.m.; Evangelistic Service, 7.45 p.m. 
Service and Lecture, Friday, at 8 p.m.; Parish School, daily, at 9 A.M.; 

Miss F. W. Ray, Teacher ; Miss A. Doughlass, Assistant. 
Working People's Free Reading-Room open from 7 to 10 p.m. daily. 

All the Pews are Free. Strangers Cordially Welcomed to the Services. 

During the three months the author had temporary charge 
of the various interests of the Chapel, several thousand 
copies of the following tract were circulated by the Sunday- 
school teachers and children among the multitudes of peo- 
ple surrounding the Chapel : 



378 



THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



THE SOUL'S BIBLICAL BALANCE-SHEET. 

By the Eev. J. W. Bonham, Churcli Evangelist. 



" What is a man profited if he shall^gain the whole world and lose his own soul /"' 



HE MAY, PERHAPS, GAIN : 
THE world's perishing RICHES, 

the slippery summit oe eame, 
transient and waning power, 
earth's unsatisfying honors, 
heart-deceiving sinful pleasure, 
an accumulated weight of guilt. 



HE WILL SUEELY LOSE : 

A CAVALRY-DATED FREE PARDON, 
JUSTIFICATION BY CHRIST'S MERIT, 
SANCTIFICATION BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, 
PART IN THE FIRST RESURRECTION, 
ENTHRONEMENT IN GOD'S KINGDOM, 
AND AN ETERNAL WEIGHT OF GLORY. 



HIS PRESENT GAIN IS TEMPORAL. 

THE GATE OF DEATH EXCLUDES : 

ALL THE WEALTH OF THIS WORLD, 
ALL GRADES OF EARTHLY POWER, 
ALL TEMPTING WORLDLY HONORS, 
ALL ALLURING SINFUL PLEASURES ; 
FOR THE EARTH IS DOOMED TO MELT, 
AND BURN UP ALL ITS SINFUL WORKS. 



HIS LOSS WILL BE ETERNAL. 

THE GATE OF HEAVEN EXCLUDES : 

THE COVETOUS AND IDOLATERS, 
EXTORTIONERS AND ALL LIARS, 
DRUNKARDS AND ADULTERERS, 
DESPISERS OF GOD THE FATHER, 
REJECTERS OF GOD THE SAVIOUR, 
EESISTERS OF GOD THE HOLY GHOST. 



" Ye cannot serve God and Mammon.'''' "77^ that is unjust, let him be unjust still.' 



SERMONS IN ST. MARK'S MEMORIAL CHAPEL. 379 

WHAT SHALL A MAN GIVE IN EXCHANGE FOR HIS SOUL? 

St. Mark viii. 37. 



GOD endowed the soul with capacity to contain Himself and to be 
filled with His own fulness, and as nothing earthly can satisfy it, 
great ones who have tried the experiment have left their testimony. 
King Solomon gained riches and honor, and revelled in all worldly 
pleasures ; but, heart-sick, exclaimed : " Vanity of vanities ! all is 
vanity !" — Ecclesiastes i. 2. 

Alexander the Great conquered the world, but through disappoint- 
ment, wept ; and because he could take with him neither power nor its 
glory, ordered that he be borne to his tomb with his empty hands ex- 
posed. — Psalm xlix. 6, 7, 14. 

The man who had ample means for many years, and said to his soul, 
" Eat, drink and be merry," was startled by God's voice saying, 
" Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee : then whose 
shall those things be ?" — St. Luke xii. 19. 

The rich man who clothed himself in purple and fine linen and fared 
sumptuously every day, after death lifted up his eyes in the world of 
torment. — St. Luke xv. 19, 20. 

*' Restless mortals toil for naught ; 
Bliss on earth in vain is sought." 

Therefore, attempt not an exchange with the god of this world ; for 
whatever earth may offer cannot, in any sense, be an equivalent for 
what you will lose even in this life. Barter not your soul for anything 
temporal, however alluring ; for whatever you may possess you must 
leave when you die. Contract not an unwise bargain that will deprive 
you of a throne in Christ's Kingdom, His unsearchable riches, and an 
" eternal weight of glory." 

Lay up for yourself treasures in heaven ; for v^rhere your treasure is 
there will your heart be also. — St. Matt. vi. 21. If any man love 
the world, the love of the Father is not in him. — i John ii. 15. God- 
liness is profitable unto all things, having promised of the life that now 
is and of that which is to come. — i Tim. iv. 8. He that believeth on 
the Son hath everlasting life. — St. John iii. 36. In every thing 
he is enriched by Him. — i Cor. i. 4, 5. Seek those things which are 
above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God, and when Christ, 
who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in 
glory. — Col. iii. 1-4. 



380 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

When a permanent minister had been secured, the minis- 
ter in temporary charge of the Chapel received the follow- 
ing notice : 

* New York, January 19, 1885. 
" Rev. y. W. Bon ham. 

" My DEAR Sir : The vacancy existing at St. Mark's Memorial Chapel 

has been filled by the selection of the Rev. Mr. Johnson, who will enter 

upon his duties as minister in charge on the first Sunday in February 

next — viz., February ist. . . . Kindly arrange accordingly. Thanking 

you for the good work performed while temporarily in charge of the 

Chapel, and in the earnest hope that our new man will take it up, and 

push it to a vigorous completion, 

" Believe me, yours truly, William V. King, 

'^ For Vestry Commiitee.^* 

He also received an encouraging note frcm the Rector : 

*' Saturday, January 17, 1885. 
" My dear Bonham : The Managing Committee of the Memorial 
Chapel have instead the Rev. J. E. Johnson to become minister of said 
Chapel, and yesterday Mr. Johnson accepted, proposing to enter upon his 
duties on the ist of February. . . . You have often told m.e that you 
would not accept any fixed position. From the warm, zealous way you 
have taken hold of the work in the Chapel ... I know your worth. , . . 
" In a hurry, but in love, I am as ever, 

"J. H. Rylance." 

After the resignation of Rev. Brockholst Morgan the 
gallery of the Chapel was unoccupied. The " minister in 
temporary charge " invited some of the children in the large 
Sunday-school to occupy the Chapel gallery on Sunday 
mornings. Not to weary them by the sermon, at the close 
of the ante-communion service, during the offertory volun- 
tary, the children quietly left the gallery, and each received 
an illuminated ticket for " good behavior." At a special 
service in the Chapel, a few evenings before the new min- 
ister's arrival, the children who had received the tickets, 
with their parents and friends, assembled in the Chapel 



SERMONS IN ST. MARK'S MEMORIAL CHAPEL. 381 

to receive a memorial for their "good behavior" at the 
Sunday morning services. 

The Superintendent, W. V. King, Esq., read a selection 
of prayers, led the singing of appropriate hymns, and 
made an interesting address. An address was also made 
by the minister who for three months had served them. 
Company after company of the children came to the front 
of the chancel rail, and each child was presented with a 
book and a New Testament, and exhorted to believe its 
facts, obey its precepts, in order to inherit its promises, 
after which the retiring minister said, "Farewell." The 
occasion was one of great interest, but all regretted that 
the Rev. Dr. Rylance could not be present. The retiring 
minister had obtained the New Testaments from the Bible 
Society as a free gift to the Sunday-school, and paid for 
the other books. But the rector of St Mark's kindly sent 
him a check to cover the amount and this note, which was 
much more cheering than the money : 

" January 29, 1885. 
" My dear Bonham : I take the opportunity, in enclosing you a check, 
in payment of the special Festival expenses, to thank you once more for 
your noble and effective work at the Memorial Chapel. 

" Ever gratefully yours, J. H. Rylance." 

II Livingston Place, New York. 



382 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER VI. 

THE PERMANENT MINISTER OF ST. MARK'S CHAPEL. 

He has the Spirit of a Missioner — Sketch of his Evangelistic 
Work — The Evangelistic Services in Philadelphia — A Sermon 
Preached in a Theatre. 

The Rev. Mr. Johnson, who had so successfully con- 
ducted religious services in the city of Philadelphia, at 
once took charge of the multiform benevolent institutions 
of the Memorial Chapel. He has labored with all his might 
to benefit some of the multitudes of godless people in the 
vicinity, who are devoted members of " this crooked and 
perverse generation." The Rev. Mr. Johnson had himself 
held successful missions. Desiring to give a place of 
honor in " The Church Revived" to brethren who have 
striven to revive parishes in America, the author requested 
him to send him a sketch of missions he had conducted. 
The following letter contains a part of his modest answer : 

" New York, January 7, 1886. 
" My dear Bonham : My work as a volunteer missioner has covered 
a period of about twelve years, but has been of so feeble a sort that it is 
hardly worth mentioning. I did it because I felt I must to save my own 
soul. Brethren in Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsyl- 
vania sent for me at various times to come over and help them, and I al- 
ways complied when it was possible. I held a very successful mission in 
old St. Ambrose's Church in this city about ten years ago. The locality 
had already become one of the most squalid in New York, and yet the 
church was crowded every night, and many remained for the after-meet- 
ings. The rector enlarged his work immediately, and the parish was 



PERMANENT MINISTER OF ST. MARK'S CHAPEL, 383 

greatly benefited. In Philadelphia I held a mission in St. John the 
Evangelist's Church about the year 1878, which lasted a month ; and al- 
though the church had comfortable accommodations for seven hundred, 
we often had to close the gates to keep out the crowd. There were no 
unusual methods employed, the attractions being simply preaching and 
singing. I held a mission there for three years in succession, and at the 
end of five years it was possible, from an inspection of the Parish Register, 
to say in what mission more than one half the communicants of the parish 
had been brought to Confirmation, for that was the objective point toward 
which we always worked. I am sure that there is nothing that I have 
done that deserves any public mention, but I have believed in the Cause 
(write me as such a one). I have stood up for it against a wicked and 
gainsaying generation in the Church ; have been content to be called a 
Methodist and by worse names — for that is what I claim to be : a Simon 
Pure, loyal Methodist, a regular follower of Wesley, who said, ' I am a 
High Churchman.' I never expected to see such a mission as we have 
just had in New York. ... I have seen greater liberties taken with our 
liturgy in Old Trinity than I have been in the habit of taking at parochial 
missions. In answer to the inquiries of friends as to the results of the 
Advent Mission, I say : ' It is a great success. . . .' The time is so short 
since ' missions ' have been known in our Church, and the prejudice 
against them has so stood in the way of the work, that I fancy you will 
find little material for your chapter on ' American Missions.' This may 
account for your willingness to use anything that I could contribute to it. 
"Yours fraternally, J. E. Johnson." 

The following sermon is as timely now as when first 
preached in the theatre, and printed in the " Pulpit Treas- 
ury." From the author's thesaurus of fragments, it is 
reprinted in *^ The Church Revived." 



384 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

EVANGELISTIC SERVICE. 

THE iRREVOCABLE OPPORTUNITY. 

By Rev. J. E. Johnson (Episcopalian), in the Bijou 
Theatre, Philadelphia.* 

" And the door was shid.^' — Matt. 25 : lo. 

The past is irrevocable. God Himself, be it said with 
reverence, cannot put us once more where we were a year 
ago, or roll the year back so that we can live it over again. 
The wheels of the chariot of time, it is said, have ratchets 
on them. The sun which rose this morning will never rise 
again. Time does not repeat itself. The past is gone for- 
ever. Yesterday, last week, last year — where are they ? 
The poet answers, " With the years beyond the flood." 
" We esteem grains of gold worthy of toilsome search, we 
carefully treasure the smallest diamond, and we watchfully 
keep and plant and tend the grain on whose growth our 
support is depending for a coming year. Far more pre- 
cious than gold and jewels and the seed-corn of an earthly 
food is time ; and we shall realize it when time shall be no 
more." There is something appalling in the thought of 
being so in the hands of time as all men are, while we are 
utterly unable to comprehend it. " The great mystery of 
time, were there no other, the illimitable, silent, never- 
resting thing called tim^, rolling, rushing on, swift, like an 

* For three years the Rev. W. N. McVickar, D.D., and the Rev. J. E. 
Johnson have been preaching, alternate Sunday nights, in the Bijou 
Theatre, which is situated in one of the v^rorst parts of Philadelphia, to 
non-churchgoers, who pack the edifice in every corner. Testimonies as to 
the spiritual results of this work have been abundant. Pastors, mission- 
aries, and laymen are continually bearing witness to the good which has 
been done. 



PERMANENT MINISTER OF ST. MARK'S CHAPEI. 385 

all-embracing ocean tide, on which we and all the universe 
swim like exhalations, like apparitions which are, and then 
are not ; this is forever a thing to strike us dumb. We 
have no word to speak about it." (Carlyle.) No mariner 
ever casts anchor in the stream of time. We may be ship- 
wrecked, but we can never be delayed. What we do in this 
life we must do as the opportunity presents itself, for we 
shall never pass this way again. In all the great cotton 
factories in New England there is an officer whose duty it 
is to pass through the various rooms of these vast edifices 
at stated hours in the night to see that all is well. At the 
far end of his round this officer finds an instrument which 
is placed there to act as a mute monitor of the way in which 
he may discharge his duty. At a particular moment a re- 
volving wheel presents an opening through which a ball 
may be dropped. If the opportunity is not seized at the 
instant it will not present itself again, and the unfaithful- 
ness of the watchman will be known in the morning. Thus 
it is with the lost opportunities of life. The man at the 
switch falls asleep. The lightning express thunders by, 
and he awakes with the flash of the locomotive light in his 
eyes, and the ground trembling like an earthquake beneath 
his feet, realizing, to his amazement and horror, that the 
switch is wrong, and willing to give all that he has if he 
could only get that moment back again. But it is too late. 
Time and tide wait for no man. The door of opportunity 
is shut forever. And thus it is with life, which is a great 
house with innumerable apartments, the doors of which 
close upon us, never to open again, as we pass through 
them. 

There is a point of view from which this thought com- 
forts us. If you have passed through afflictions, if you have 
known a season of trial, if you have just come out of in- 
tellectual or financial difficulties, you are glad that the 



386 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

past is irrevocable and that the door behind you is shut 
forever. 

But, generally speaking, our thought of the past is one 
of regret. 

" Of all sad words of tongue or pen, 

The saddest are these — ' It might have been.' " 

There are our lost intellectual or educational opportuni- 
ties. What a different person you would have been had 
you given your spare hours to study instead of to pleasure 
or indolence ! But now it is too late. The door is shut. 
There is a great gulf between the educated and the illiter- 
ate which is as wide and as deep as that of which we read 
in the parable of Dives and Lazarus. Then there are our 
lost opportunities of usefulness. We save up our money 
for a rainy day, but the saddest thing in the world is not an 
impecunious old age ; it is an opulent old age that has 
brought its money by every open door of usefulness, that 
has neglected every opportunity of using its wealth for the 
glory of God and the welfare of our fellow- men. The 
" Coal Orders " of the various Trust Funds of Philadelphia 
are valid only until the first of April ; if you, through 
ignorance or carelessness, have retained them in your pos- 
session until after that date, you have felt as that man 
ought who has kept his money until it is too late to do any 
good with it ; until everybody is dead and gone whom he 
might have blessed by its use. Again, there are our lost 
opportunities of restitution and apology. We neglected to 
return to some one, while he was alive, that of which we had 
wronged him, and now it is too late. We remember harsh 
words and cruel deeds of which we were guilty toward 
those who are dead and gone, and we would give the world 
to have those loved ones back again, if but for a moment, 
to tell them how bitterly we repent, but it is too late. . . . 

We would gladly wipe out the record of our innumer- 



PERMANENT MINISTER OF ST. MARK'S CHAPEL. 387 

able violations of God's laws ; we would recall the long 
line of our sins, but it is impossible. We can never be just 
what we should have been had we not done those things 
which we ought not to have done. The boy whose father 
bade him drive a nail into a favorite tree every time he dis- 
obeyed him and then permitted him to draw one out for 
each virtuous action was found one day at the tree, out of 
which all the nails had been drawn, in tears. When asked 
why he wept, he replied : " The nails are gone, but the 
ugly holes are left, and spoil the beauty of the tree." The 
hateful scars of old sins are ineffaceable. We sometimes 
talk about "wild oats" as though a crop of them were 
rather a preparation for the future sowing of good grain. 
It is a false, a pernicious notion. Whatsoever a man 
soweth, that shall he also reap. A reformed man is a 
damaged man. It is far better to grow up in the nurture 
and admonition of the Lord. 

But although we cannot undo our sins, we can at least 
prevent them from utterly undoing us. We can turn to 
God in true penitence and lay hold on Him in Jesus Christ. 
But, finally, sometimes even this door is shut, and we find, 
like Esau, no room for repentance. Early in life we are 
drawn toward the Ark ; later on our hearts are hardened, 
and we discover when it is too late that the door is shut. 
(Instance the case of Dr. Judson's infidel classmate whom 
he found in after years dying at a hotel, and to whom he 
preached Christ. He would have repented, but he felt that 
it was too late ; he had sinned away his day of grace ; the 
door was shut. This bears upon the subject of deathbed 
repentances. . . .) 

And now, it may be well to inquire why is it that some 
men are always too late — at the depot, bank, post-office, 
everywhere ? There is a class of people who are always 
missing the greatest good fortune by being just a little too 



388 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

late. And there are those who find the door of salvation 
shut. Why is it ? What is the reason ? They start too 
late. James III. proclaimed an amnesty to all Scotch 
chiefs who should submit before the 31st of December of a 
particular year. Mclan, the bravest and proudest of them 
all, was determined that he would be the last to take the 
oath, and so did not start from his glen until two days be- 
fore the expiration of the amnesty. He was delayed by a 
storm, and arrived in time—to be executed. Such is the 
risk which those run who delay their acceptance of that 
amnesty which the King of kings has offered us through 
His Son. 

You say, perhaps, that this is a harsh doctrine. But it 
is not my doctrine, and it is not I who shut the door. 
Noah preached for years and exhorted men to come into the 
ark, but they refused, and in the hush of that last night 
before the flood "God shut to the door" — not Noah. 
Their quarrel, then, was with God, and not with the 
preacher of His righteousness. 

And now, dear friends, what shall be said by way of con- 
clusion ? Shall we postpone the application until next 
Sunday night ? The great American revivalist was preach- 
ing in Farwell Hall in Chicago on the subject of Christ be- 
fore Pilate ; in closing he gave notice that he would take 
up on the following Sunday the question, ** What shall we 
do with Jesus ?" Before the week had rolled away a great 
part of the city had rolled away — in smoke and flames, and 
that congregation, some of whom perished in the ruins, 
never assembled again. Dare we delay our application, 
then, another week, or even until to-morrow ? 

Years ago, when the voyage across the Atlantic was not 
as common as it is now, the loss of the steamship the Cen- 
tral America, with all on board, filled the people of two 
continents with horror. The steamer was sighted in dis- 



PERMANENT MINISTER OF ST. MARK'S CHAPEL. 389 

tress by another vessel, which bore down upon her, and 
coming alongside, offered to take all of her passengers on 
board ; but it was growing dark, and the captain of the dis- 
abled ship declined to accept the offer that night. " Lay- 
alongside of us," he said, ** until morning." When the 
morning sun arose the Central America was nowhere to be 
seen : she had gone down with all on board. 

And so, dear friends, I will not say, " Wait until next 
week," for I remember the conflagration of Chicago, and I 
do not know how many of us may live another week. I do 
not even dare to say, " Wait until to-morrow," for I re- 
member the Central America, and it is possible that when 
the morning sun rises it will not shine upon us in this 
world ; we may have gone down into the depths of the 
great ocean of eternity. 

Hence I say, ** Now is the accepted time, now is the day 
of salvation." Enter this moment, by an act of faith, into 
the Ark of God. Jesus says, " I am the door. If by me 
any man shall enter in he shall be saved." Let us, then, 
enter in through Him at once, lest we be everlastingly too 
late ; lest we find the door of salvation eternally shut. 

" Thou art the Way, to Thee alone 
From sin and death we flee ; 
And he who would the Father seek 
Must seek Him, Lord, by Thee. 

•* Thou art the Way, the Truth, the Life ; 
Grant us that way to know, 
That truth to keep, that life to win, 
Whose joys eternal flow." 



390 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER VII. 

OTHER PAROCHIAL MISSIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA.* 

Christ Churchy Oil City — St. John s Churchy Franklin — Brad- 
ford^ Pa. — St, Timothy'' s Church., Massillojt, Ohio — Trinity 
Church- — St. Philip' s Churchy Philadelphia. 

Several years ago the author held a fourteen days' Mis- 
sion in Christ Church, Oil City, Pa., the Rev. C. G. 
Adams, Rector. The services were well attended, and the 
people were interested. The mission was commenced as 
an "eight days' mission," but in view of .the manifest 
interest in the services it was continued during the second 
week. Services for " women only" were conducted in the 
large room of the hotel by the missioner's wife, and were 
highly appreciated. H. L. Foster, Esq., the author's lay- 
reader at the Bishop's church, Philadelphia, and now the 
President of the Oil Exchange, Oil City, influenced a num- 
ber of the members to " come to the mission." They 
devoutly said the responses, fervently united in the hymns 
of praise, and attentively listened to the sermons and the 
instructions that followed. The zealous and enthusiastic 
Rector heartily co-operated with the missioner. The ward- 
ens and vestrymen treated him hospitably. Before he left 
the city he received a financial token of the people's appre- 
ciation of his services. They liberally remembered him, 
and he gratefully remembers them. 

Immediately after the mission in Oil City, he conducted a 
Mission in St. John's, Franklin, and about a year later he 
held another. The following is the condensed programme : 

* See Part III. , Chapter VII. 



PAROCHIAL MISSIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA. 391 



COME TO THE MISSION! 



SPECIAL EVANGELISTIC SERVICES 

AT 

St. John's Church, 

REV. J. W. BONHAM, EVANGELIST. 



Order of Services : 

EACH MORNING DURING THE WEEK, 

At 10.30 o'clock, 

PRAYERS AND ADDRESS. 



EACH EVENING, EXCEPT SATURDAY, 
At 7.30, 

SERVICE OF SONG. 

At 7.45, 
MISSION SERVICE 

AND 

SERMON BY THE EVANGELIST. 



Seats Free. All are Welcome. 



" Whosoever will., let him take the Water of Life freely.^'' 

A. B. PUTNAM, Rector. 



392 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

Christians of other bodies attended the services, includ- 
ing the Methodist Minister, who said he would say 
*' Amen" when he so desired, and did so, but only at the 
end of the Creed and prayers or Gloria. An eminent Pres- 
byterian, who is now one of the judges of the Supreme 
Court, became deeply interested in the Mission, and said 
to a dear friend : " The Gospel is now earnestly preached 
within the Episcopal Church ; why should we remain on the 
outside any longer ?" The Evangelist next held a Mission 
in St. Timothy's Church, Massillon, Ohio, the Rev. Mr. 
Probascoe, Rector. Through God's blessing on the services 
the parish was revived, and an unusually large number 
were present at the celebration of the Holy Communion 
and at most of the other services. The Rector was deeply 
interested in the Mission ; but he soon departed this life 
for rest in Paradise. The author also visited Bradford, 
where was no Episcopal Church, obtained the use of the 
Methodist Church for the Sunday evening services, and the 
use of another church for the week-night services. Soon 
after the Mission the Rev. A. B. Putnam went to Bradford, 
and first held services in the Oil Exchange Building. Soon 
a church was erected, and thus our Church made her 
presence known. 

At a later period the author held a Mission in Trinity 
Church, Philadelphia, the Rev. F. Mansfield, Rector. He 
also preached special sermons for the Rev. Dr. Davies, 
Rector of St. Peter's iChurch, and officiated in several of 
the churches near the city. In the latter part of Lent, 1885, 
in order to aid the active Rector of St. Philip's Church, 
Philadelphia, the Rev. Bryan B. Killikelly, he preached ten 
sermons for him during Holy Week, and also conducted a 
Mission in Passion Week. The people were not prepared 
for the Mission ; but the Rector and the Missioner did all 
in their power to make it profitable to the " struggling 



PAROCHIAL MISSIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA. 393 

parish," burdened by a small debt, which should not so 
much depress them. The Mission was closed on Good 
Friday. The Rector preached in the morning, the Mission- 
er in the afternoon and the evening, and also gave the 
*' Instruction.'' The Rector needed much encouragement, 
for God's servants are not rewarded for their success, but 
for their faithfulness. Soon after the Mission, Bishop 
Stevens administered the rite of Confirmation. Another 
class has recently been confirmed. 

Two Evangelists who have held successful Missions in 
various parishes, some time ago held a Mission in a large 
city church soon after each other. The congregations at 
the last Mission were much larger than at the one that was 
first held. In answer to a letter concerning the results of 
the two Missions, the Rector kindly but candidly replied : 

*' My dear Brother : Nothing of interest came from the Mission 

services of the Rev. or the Rev. in my parish. It was not the 

fault of the Missioners that a great blessing did not fall upon my congre- 
gation. My people were at fault — possibly their Rector. 

" Most cordially yours, 



When Alexander, an Emperor of Russia, heard a groan, 
he alighted from his hunting steed, and found a man 
dying. He sent at once for a doctor, who said : " The man 
is dead ;" but at the Emperor's command — *' Try what you 
can do to restore him" — the doctor used the remedies for 
suspended animation. Soon the signs of life appeared, and 
the Emperor ecstatically exclaimed : " This is the happiest 
day of my existence ; I have saved another man's life !" 
So when but one soul is saved Missioners and Rectors re- 
joice on earth with the angels in heaven. Many parochial 
Missions held in churches in America have not been men- 
tioned. Several Missions conducted by the author have 
not been alluded to. But from those sketched or described 



394 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

the reader may perceive that the scatterers of Gospel seed, if 
they wait for fruit with patience, the Infinite Husbandman in 
whose name it was sown will not suffer them to be entirely 
disappointed ; for some will bring forth " good fruit." 

While in Philadelphia the author made the agreeable 
acquaintance of the Rev. William M. Jefferies, the Rector 
of the Church of the Nativity. He is full of zeal, suavity, 
and energy, and his labors have been greatly blessed. 
Several unusually large classes have been confirnied, and 
the influence of the parish is extending. To aid the zealous 
and genial Rector, the author preached several sermons in 
his church, and also delivered a free lecture in the lecture- 
room. And as he was not embarrassed by numerous un- 
necessary " kind suggestions" before they entered the 
chancel, after the hearty Liturgical service he was enabled 
to preach with unusual freedom. The first sermon set 
forth {a) the mutual interest of the Holy Trinity in all true 
believers ; {b) in view of this relationship, certain duties 
are obligatory on the part of those thus owned ; {c) that 
Christ may be glorified in His inheritance, entire consecra- 
tion to His service is essential, and in body, soul, and 
spirit, in thought and word and deed each Christian should 
strive to promote the glory of the Holy Trinity. The third 
sermon, based on the text, " Whom having not seen ye 
love," showed that faith in the invisible Saviour incites 
exultation, because, first, the faith that brings repose to 
the intellect and heart has retrospective power, and makes 
the past present. Second, faith has the power of appropri- 
ation, and takes from the Saviour's hand of mercy a free 
and full pardon, dated, " Calvary, near Jerusalem, Pales- 
tine, Anno Domini 2i?>'' Third, faith has prospective 
vision, and anticipates Christ's return in glo-rious majesty 
to conquer sin and death, and enthrone the redeemed in 
His sinless, sorrowless, deathless, and everlasting kingdom. 



THE AUTHOR WITH OLD FRIENDS AGAIN, 395 



CHAPTER VIII. 

THE AUTHOR WITH OLD FRIENDS AGAIN. 

The Gi^eat Eastern — Miss Louise Thompson — Her Benevolent 
Father — Mrs. Thompson and Mrs. Griffith Bereaved — The 
Author their Guest — Meets Former Vestrymen — The Mission 
in St. Philip' s Church — Guest of the Rev. S. Durborow. 

When on board the steamship Great Eastern, and 
all expected to see dear friends no more on earth, Miss 
Louise Thompson was one of the passengers who, with a 
few others, crowded the sofa in the grand saloon — the only- 
article of furniture not dashing to and fro in the uncon- 
trollable vessel. The sofa, between two iron columns, 
withstood the violence of the waves. She aided the 
author in singing joyful hymns, which soothed some of the 
terror-stricken passengers. A few years later, when the 
author was Rector of the Church of the Intercessor, Phila- 
delphia, Miss Thompson — then Mrs. Griffith — was present 
at a Sunday morning service, and recognized the Rector as 
her protector when on board the Great Eastern. After- 
ward her father, Thomas Thompson, Esq., became a Vestry- 
man, but retained his pew in Grace Church, of which the 
Rev. Dr. Sudards was the Rector, but who is now in 
Paradise. Thomas Thompson, Esq., has also departed 
this life. Years ago he gave the author two hundred dol- 
lars to enable him to cross the ocean and return in the 
same steamer. In addition to his widow and grown-up 
children, many friends miss him and mourn his departure. 



396 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

Years ago, while he occupied his country house at Jenkin- 
town, he gave the author the use of his capacious mansion ; 
and as it was but four doors from his church, its use for 
four months was a great convenience. Mr. Thompson's 
heart was large and his purse open, and yet he died " well- 
off," and his good deeds live. 

In the spring of 1885 the author revisited Philadelphia, 
and met many of his old friends, including Solomon Frank, 
Esq., D. P. Dietrick, Esq., A. Orr, Esq., J. Gould, Esq., 
H. J. Borhek, Esq., C. Wightman, Esq., and others, and 
the meeting was mutually very pleasant. He accepted an 
invitation from Mrs. Thomas Thompson to be again a 
guest in her hospitable mansion, and endeavored to cheer 
the bereaved family, including her married sons and Mrs. 
Griffith, her daughter Flora, and Mrs. Hopper. At the 
life-size portrait of Mr. Thomas Thompson we gazed again 
and again, but with mingled emotions. . . . 

H. L. Foster, Esq., who gave the large organ to the 
Bishop's Free Church, for several years had gratuitously 
served as the organist, and his wife, a member of the 
choir, *' sang sweet alto." Her brother, Samuel Wenzell, 
Esq., broker and banker, secured for the author an invita- 
tion to the privileges of the Union League Club, Phila- 
delphia. And as Mr. and Mrs. Foster, Mr. Wenzell and the 
author had together crossed the Atlantic in the steamship 
Circassia, to meet once more was mutually agreeable. 
Later the author accepted an invitation from the efficient 
superintendent of the Protestant Episcopal City Mission, the 
Rev. S. Durborow, to make his house his home. Through 
the kindness of his old friend and his estimable sister and 
his devoted aunt, the guest was kept cheerful while he 
remained in the city. 

The foresight of Bishop Stevens in originating the Phila- 
delphia Protestant Episcopal City Mission, and his wisdom 



THE AUTHOR WITH OLD FRIENDS AGAIN. 397 

in appointing the Rev. Samuel Durborow its general super- 
intendent, become more and more apparent as the years 
roll on. Through the liberal offerings of Churchm.en and 
of other Christians, a staff of missionaries has been sup- 
ported, and the Gospel has been preached to the sick in 
hospitals, to the paupers in almshouses, and to the crim- 
inals in prisons. Several of the new parishes in Phila- 
delphia are the result of the divine blessing on the labors 
of the superintendent and the city missionaries. The 
society now owns Homes for Consumptives, a Home for 
the Aged, and in different parts of the city are sick diet 
kitchens, from which nutritious food and delicacies are sent 
to the homes of the sick. 

Devoted Christian women look after neglected children, 
and direct them to Sunday-schools, organize mothers' meet- 
ings, teach Bible-classes, distribute Bibles, Prayer-books, 
Hymnals, and Gospel tracts, seek guardians for poor or- 
phans, employment for the idle, visit the sick at their homes, 
and co-operate with the superintendent in promoting the 
efTiciency of the multiform modes of benevolent work. 
The Bishop's kindness and paternal sympathy with the 
workers have inspired their courage. The Board of 
Council's approval has incited their enthusiasm ; and the 
appreciation of their work by the friends of the mission 
has nerved them to still go forward in the Master's name. 

At the day of judgment not " saving faith " but "good 
works' ' will be eulogized. What we believe is essential to 
salvation, but what we do to prove our faith will be speci- 
fied, and to the helpers of the helpless, the nurses of the 
sick, the visitors to the poor, and the soothers of the dying, 
the omnipotent and omniscient Judge will say : *' Inas- 
much as yet did it to one of the least of these, my brethren, 
)^e did it unto Me." And in His sinless and sorrowless 
kingdom " their sympathetic feelings shall only be excited 



398 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

for those that do rejoice ; and for themselves will only be 
joy and gladness, thanksgiving and the voice of melody. 
They shall see no more traces of crime, suffering, sin, and 
the varied forms of human misery that so excited their 
commiseration, and gave them so keen a sense of their own 
impotence. " Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither 
hath it entered into the heart of man, the things that God 
hath prepared for them that love Him ; but God hath re- 
vealed them unto us by His Spirit." 

Numerous cares have prevented the author from writing 
to his dear old friends, including the Bishop of Pennsyl- 
vania, the Rev. Dr. Childs, the Bishop's faithful secretary ; 
the Wardens and Vestrymen of the Church of the Inter- 
cessor ; T. B. Cannon, Esq., of St. Peter's Church; the 
widowand bereaved sons and daughters of Wm. Mann, Esq. ; 
the Rev. Dr. Miller, and other friends, whose names are not 
here mentioned, but who are with pleasure remembered. 

" Soon shall we meet again, 
Meet ne'er to sever ; 
Soon shall peace wreathe her chain 
Round us forever." 



REOPENING OF ST. MARK'S IN THE BOWERY. 399 



CHAPTER IX. 

REOPENING OF ST. MARK's IN THE BOWERY. 

The Reopeiiiiig of the Church — Great Improvefnents — The Fu-' 
neral of the Rector' s Son — The Memorial Altar Cross, 

"St. Mark's in the Bowery" has had among its able 
rectors the Rev. Dr. Anthon, the Rev. Dr. Vinton, and 
for several years the Rev. J. H. Rylance, D.D., the present- 
rector. This church, which was closed for repairs, was re- 
opened on Sunday, November ist, 1885. There was a large 
congregation present, and the services were conducted by 
the rector (the Rev. Dr. J. H. Rylance), assisted by the 
Rev. Dr. D, C. Weston and the Rev. Messrs. Brockholst 
Morgan, J. E. Johnson, and J. W. Bonham. The rector's 
text was Ps. 122 : i. Alluding to the congregation's desire 
to return to their newly renovated and beautified church, 
and his own and their appreciation of the work of the 
committee who had so faithfully superintended the repairs 
and adornments, the Rev. Doctor showed that as the 
works of God in nature are beautiful, houses in which to 
worship Him should be beautiful also. The sermon closed 
with a touching allusion to beloved ones departed, who no 
longer worship God in temples made with hands, but are 
in joy and felicity, and worship with the spirits of the just 
in Paradise. In the evening the rector was assisted by the 
Rev. Messrs. B. Morgan and J. W. Bonham. The sermon, 
based on Heb. 13 : 2, set forth how strangers were en- 
tertained by the primitive Christians. The hearty recep- 



400 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

tion given to eminent English Churchmen by American 
ministers of ^11 denominations and the great respect paid 
to Archdeacon Farrar, the Doctor considered a hopeful sign 
of the times, foreshadowing the day when severed Christen- 
dom shall be reunited, and all will worship God in spirit 
and in truth. 

To one entering the church and calling to mind its time- 
honored plainness, the changes wrought must have seemed 
somewhat surprising. Not only is the work on all sides 
characterized by brightness and light, but it has given the 
structure the appearance of greater size. 

The scheme of color adopted by the decorators was evi- 
dently chosen for the purpose of giving airiness and effect 
to the building, without interfering with its architectural 
or constructive features. The domed ceiling, divided into 
numerous rectangular panels of pale greenish blue, each 
panel being embellished with a quaint golden sun in relief ; 
the dull cream-colored walls, with here and there the sym- 
bolic grape-vine and palm ; the subdued treatment of the 
gallery front and pews— all tend to convey a pleasing sense 
of coolness and distance, to which the church was formerly 
a stranger. 

This eft'ect is much heightened by the quiet, green-toned 
glass occupying the newly placed windows. Of these win- 
dows there are five on either side above the galleries, and 
three or four below. The treatment of the chancel con- 
sists of bright " old ivory " tints relieved by a judicious use 
of gold upon prominent mouldings and carvings, produc- 
ing a soft yet sparkling effect. This work serves admi- 
rably as a frame for the large picture above the altar, the 
subject of the picture being what is technically known as 
*' The Majesty." Beneath the altar-piece the walls are 
covered with brocade draperies, subdued in color, but add- 
ing much to the general effect, and forming a good back- 



REOPENING OF ST. MARK'S IN THE BOWERY. 401 

ground for the altar and other furniture. This work of 
decoration was done by the Messrs. Stent & Co. 

Other improvements have also been effected, as a new 
method of gas-lighting, principally by circlets around the 
columns ; the placing of a handsome perforated brass 
screen at the front of the organ gallery, as, also, the plac- 
ing of brass-work around the chancel ; furnishing the pews 
and aisles with new covering, carpeting, etc. 

Among the new decorations is an imported English paint- 
ing representing Christ enthroned. Above it in gold let- 
ters is "Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus,'' and beneath, "Thou 
art the King of Glory." The beautiful gilt cioss just 
above the altar is a gift from Dr. and Mrs. Rylance, as a 
memorial of their son, whose death filled his youthful wife 
and his father and mother with a degree of grief which 
only Divine aid enabled them to bear without sorrowing 
hopelessly. The cross was fashioned by Mr. Lamb, the 
eminent artist, and is of ** heroic size," made of polished 
brass. It is forty-four inches high, with outlined trefoil 
ends, and stands upon a plain cavalry of three steps, upon 
which is engraved : 

IN 

MEMORIAM 
JOSEPH H. RYLANCE, JR. 

BORN 
November 2d, 1858. 

ENTERED PARADISE 
December loth, 

1883. 

The whole surface of the cross is richly hand-chased, with 
a bold design of passion vine entwining the centre panel, 
with the letters "I. H. S. ," each end of the cross receiving 



402 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

a full-blown passion flower inside of the trefoil ends, the 
whole forming a symbolic Trinity of outline and design. 

The Christian name of the infant son of the departed is 
Joseph Spofford Boseman. The first name is the name of 
his father and of his grandfather. The last is the name 
of his maternal grandfather. The fatherless child is a 
bright and handsome boy, and a great comfort to his 
mother, also to his grandparents. He can now walk and 
talk, and his childish words dispel some of the gloom of the 
bereaved, and his merry laugh diffuses sunbeams of glad- 
ness in two houses of mourning. He is a great pet, and if it 
be God's will to spare his life, in a few years he will be 
able to appreciate the inscription on the beautiful memorial 
altar cross in St. Mark's Church, in memory of his departed 
father,* and with his mother and grandparents unite in 
the prayer : " O merciful God, . . . we beseech Thee to 
raise us from the death of sin unto the life of righteous- 
ness; that when we shall depart this life we may rest in 
Him ; and that at the general resurrection on the last day 
we may be found acceptable in Thy sight, and receive that 
blessing which Thy beloved Son shall then pronounce to all 
who love and fear Thee. . . . Through Jesus Christ our 
Meditator and Redeemer. Amen." 

* In Morristown, N. J., is an old house which was once Washington's 
headquarters. In one of the rooms of this house is a framed document 
of Governor William Livingston's, dated July, 1782.' In August, 1885, 
his great-granddaughter, Mrs. Rylance (wife of Rev. Dr. Rylance), his 
great-great-grandson, the Rev. Brockholst Morgan, and his great-great- 
grandson, Joseph Spofford Boseman Rylance, visited this building. The 
custodian was glad the fact had been recorded. 



IN MEMORIAM THE REV. S. H. TYiVG, SR., D.D. 403 



CHAPTER X. 

IN MEMORIAM THE REV. S. H. TYNG, SR., D.D. 

The Doctor s Frankness — His Affectionate Letters — He 
Preaches in a Surplice — The Rev. Dr. Williams — The Rev. 
W. S. Rainsford — The Surpliced Choir — The Old Gospel 
. still Preached. 

The author heard S. H. Tyng, D. D., in the old church 
in Beekman Street, which was usually filled with devout 
worshippers of Almighty God and attentive hearers of His 
fearless messenger. The lectures at the week-night ser- 
vices may be compared with those now delivered by rec- 
tors who implore their people to " prepare for the mis- 
sion." Twenty years ago the author was his guest in 
the rectory of his new church, and vividly remembers the 
Doctor's frankness and courtesy. At that time whoever 
appeared in a church pulpit arrayed in white was consid- 
ered "a priest with his face Romeward." While in the 
robing-room to exchange the white for the black—for many 
Churchmen considered the surplice orthodox in the chancel, 
but heterodox in the pulpit — on a Sunday afternoon, when 
the author was to preach, he said : " Doctor, how do you 
conduct a certain part of the service ?" " Go ahead, as I 
did this morning !" was the answer. When in his study 
the preacher said : " Doctor, I have been asked to preach 
this evening in Zion Church ; as its Rt. Rev. rector is 
called ritualistic, would you advise me to preach there?" 
" Preach there !" answered the Doctor ; " I would preach 



404 THE CHURCH REVIVED. " 

in the * devil's pulpit,' if I could glorify my Master !" The 
Doctor added : " After the service return to the rectory." 
So soon as the Doctor heard the answer, " Thank you, I 
will be happy to do so if it is perfectly convenient to you," 
in a staccato tone he replied : " Convenient ! were it not 
convenient I would not have asked you to prolong your 
visit." 

Monday morning the Doctor said : "I arise very 
early, to insure two hours of undisturbed quiet in this office 
study. To the free use of the large parlor study you are 
welcome !" His guest did not again disturb him. He 
admired the Doctor's hospitality and his honest5^ In 
striking contrast, a rector in a distant city said : " Tarry 
longer at my rectory," after which his "tell-tale" little 
boy said : " Papa said that he would sleep to-night in the 
room you have used." As his valise was packed, he soon 
said : " Thank you for your hospitality ; good-by." Dr. 
Tyng was very decided but candid, and he did not " lift up a 
reproach against his neighbor, " by repeating, " They say," 
etc., as if they were glad to have it so. If not pleased with 
a clergyman or layman he had the moral courage to say 
outright what he desired to say, and not preface it with, 
" He is a good man, but — " etc., as do some ** influential" 
laymen, who say : " Our rector is a good man, but our peo- 
ple do not like his preaching." He might have said : " He 
is a good man, and therefore our people do not admire his 
' faithfulness.' " When the Doctor's daily cares were over, 
his face was serene and his conversation cheerful. He had 
a warmer heart than strangers or friends who annoyed him 
believed that he possessed. A few years ago the author 
was permitted to read his letters to his son Dudley, who, 
before his decease, had said : '* Stand up for Jesus." The 
letters are full of faithful advice, warm paternal affection, 
and would make an instructive book for young men who 



THE FUNERAL OF THE REV. S. H. TYNG, D.D. 405 

expect to be merchants or ministers. Both father and son 
are now with the large army of Sunday-school scholars 
who were by thern trained for usefulness on earth, and 
nurtured for the bliss of the spirits of the just made perfect. 
Before he "departed this life" many who were saved 
through God's blessing on his fearless preaching in Phila- 
delphia and other places died in serene and joyful hope, 
and preceded him to Paradise. 

The last time the author heard the venerable Doctor 
preach in St. George's Church he was surprised to 
see him preach in the surplice. But the change 
showed that " an old evangelical" could receive more 
light. His step was very feeble, and he looked as if 
"not long for this world;" yet he lived for several 
years. The crowded church at the time of his funeral 
showed how highly many persons respected him and deeply 
mourned his departure The Gospel seed he had sown in 
St. George's did not all perish. The Rev. Dr. Williams 
labored hard to make productive what his predecessor 
had sown, as well as to scatter on the old ground more 
Gospel seed. After he went to Baltimore, the Rev. Messrs. 
Perkins and Maguire faithfully labored to prevent^ the 
further depletion of the once large congregation. One 
of the wardens conversed with the author respecting the 
desirableness of holding a parochial mission. But soon after 
the present rector took charge of St. George's a mission 
was commenced, of which the Advent Mission was the 
culmination. The Rev. Messrs. Rainsford, Parker, and Wil- 
son have a wide field to cultivate, but very much to en- 
courage them. If they continue to obey the mandate, " Go 
forward," in the future they will have much more to assure 
them that their united labors are not in vain in the Lord. 



406 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER XL 

THE FUNERAL OF THE REV. S. H. TYNG, D.D. 

The Rev. Dr. Tyng^s Retirement from his Evangelistic Battle — 
The Gospel Warrior Asleep in Jesus — The Sources of his 
I7iflue7ice — The Runeral Address — The Memorial Sermon — 
Dr. Tyng as an Orator., a Leader.^ and a much Beloved Pastor. 

St. George's Church is draped in the emblems of mourn- 
ing, the outward symbol of the heart-felt sorrow of the 
large congregation. " I am the Resurrection and the Life'* 
changes the current of thought of the sad-faced mourners. 
The coffin is placed in front of the chancel, where the old 
pulpit stood in which Dr. Tyng for so many years, in 
clarion tone, reiterated Gospel facts ; in imperative tone, 
the Gospel precepts ; in magisterial tone, the Gospel 
threatenings ; and in sympathetic tone, the Gospel prom- 
ises. Plaintively the organist accompanies the surpliced 
choristers and the congregation as they mournfully sing 
the Funeral Psalter : 

" The days of our years are threescore years and ten ; 
And though men be so strong that they come to fourscore years, 
Yet is their strength then but labor and sorrow ; 
So soon passeth it away, and we are gone." 

The lesson that for eighteen centuries has cheered be- 
reaved Christians consoles the mourners over a great man 
in Israel departed : 

" For this corruptible must put on incorruption. 
And this mortal must put on immortality. . . 



THE FUNERAL OF THE REV. S. H TYNG, D.D. 407 

Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written . . . 
O death, where is thy sting ? O grave, where is thy victory ? . . . 
But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory 
Through our Lord Jesus Christ." 

The eloquent Bossuet said : " Grand funeral processions, 
superb monuments, universal mourning, are magnificent 
testimonies to man's nothingness;" but the address of 
the Rt. Rev. Alfred Lee, D,D., D.C.L. , who was conse- 
crated Bishop forty-four years ago, and now the venerable 
President of the House of Bishops, delivered the funeral 
address, which showed that the departed Rector of St. 
George's Church left a monument of his ministerial faith- 
fulness that time cannot crumble nor years wear away the 
inscription of his usefulness. 

The Bishop struck the definite chord of the memorial re- 
quiem, chanted in spirit by the Rt. Rev. B. F. Bedell, D.D., 
and the responsive congregation in St. George's Church, 
a few days before the commencement of the Advent 
Mission held therein. 

On November 22d, 1886, in St. George's Church, the 
Bishop of Ohio preached a memorial sermon, sketching the 
departed rector and pastor. The following is an outline of 
the graphic picture. The sermon, unmarred by condensa- 
tion or omissions, may be obtained of Mr. Thomas Whit- 
taker. The Bishop said : 

" There were giants in those days. Henshaw, Hawks, 
the Johnses, Bedell, Milnor, Eastburn, Mcllvaine, Tyng — 
only Lee and Dyer are left. The death of Dr. Tyng has 
made a wide gap in that line of old-fashioned evangelical 
Churchmen. Those were the men who, without flinching, 
bore the brunt of a contest for principles which within the 
last half century has decided the fate of our Church. Dr. 
Tyng was foremost among them. 

" While thinking of the days that are past a proverb has 



408 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

been ringing in my ears — ' Thy own friend and thy father's 
friend forsake not,' It was written for days of forgetful- 
ness like these, when the present absorbs all thoughts ; and 
the past, with the men that created this present, is com- 
mended to oblivion. 

" Not so the members of St. George's. For the most im- 
pressive incident of the closing years of our venerated 
friend has been the faithfulness of this parish to the teach- 
ing of this proverb. Most of the fathers who knew him in 
his prime have passed away, but the sons have caught their 
spirit. A generous people refused to ' forsake ' their ancient 
pastor, although age and infirmity had terminated his use- 
fulness. Their unwearying care of him during eight long 
years of silence is an instance of fidelity as rare as it is 
virtuous ; as pleasing in the eyes of men as (we believe it 
to be) commended of God. 

" Obeying the spirit of this proverb, I come to-day to 
offer a tribute of gratitude to God for a valued friendship, 
unbroken and undisturbed, through fifty years. 

" The friendship between Dr. Tyng and my father, which 
had its origin in the events to which I have alluded, and the 
transfer of that affection to me after my father's death, has 
been a very sacred treasure. You will appreciate, then, 
the peculiar gladness with which I accept this invitation of 
the rector and vestry of St. George's to pay a tribute of 
affectionate reminiscence to my father's friend and mine. 

** A reminiscence only. I am not about to attempt to 
pronounce a eulogium on Dr. Tyng. For that, the eulogist 
should be in some respects his equal, or at least should feel 
capable of taking a just measure of his character. I am 
not about to attempt a memoir of Dr. Tyng. For that, 
there is not sufficient space in such a sermon, if, indeed, 
there were not many here to-day who are much more 
familiar with the details, and especially with the later in- 



THE FUNERAL OF THE REV. S. //. TVJVG, D.D. 409 

cidents, of his life. I am not about to attempt to define 
the position which Dr. Tyng made for himself in the 
Church, nor to prophesy the place which he will hold in 
its history. It would be presumption in me to ask of such 
a master builder, 'What hast thou wrought?' And it is 
too early to question of the future, ' Where shall the recol- 
lections of such a life be crystallized into imperishable 
fame ?' I have come simply to give you reminiscences of 
Dr. Tyng. Imbibing the spirit of the proverb, I shall put 
into words some recollections which, at the same time, may 
stir similar pleasant memories in your own breasts. 

" Thus together we may lay our tribute of gratitude be- 
fore our Covenant God, thankful that Dr. Tyng has lived, 
and thankful that in dying he is not dead ; thankful that 
for so many years we have shared his friendship, and that 
when we shall meet again in presence of our God, where 
no mists will mar our mutual estimates, and each of us 
shall know as we are known, we shall be welcomed to 
heaven by so faithful a friend. 

" It was near the beginning of the full development of 
that old controversy that the friendship between Dr. Tyng 
and my father commenced. It was a friendship as pure 
and firm as that between David and Jonathan, and as last- 
ing. Yet never were characters more unlike. We often 
notice that phenomenon — two souls knit in perfect har- 
mony, whose only chord of sympathy is one overmastering 
common affection. In its presence dissimilarities disap- 
pear. The one all gentleness, mildness, suavity of man- 
ner and speech ; the other quick, impulsive, not a little 
arbitrary, always taking the shortest cut to the truth, 
whether by action or by word : yet both equally firm in 
their attachment to evangelical principles. I have an im- 
pression that my father was instrumental in securing the 
removal of Dr. Tyng from Georgetown to Philadelphia. I 



410 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

was a boy then, but can hardly fail of interpreting rightly 
what I remember of the very marked familiarity of inter- 
course that sprang up immediately between them. It 
seems reasonable that Dr. Bedell should seek for, and 
secure at his side, a coadjutor of such promising power as 
was Mr. Tyng. After the death of Benjamin Allen, the rec- 
tor of St. Paul's Church, no other prominent representa- 
tives of his then peculiar views were left in Philadelphia 
except Dr. Bedell and his Missionary Assistant, our late 
Presiding Bishop, Dr. Smith. But Mr. Tyng was already 
known as a thoroughly earnest and influential advocate of 
evangelical views. Although only in the seventh year of 
his ministry, those characteristics had developed in him 
which invariably, and often unconsciously to themselves, 
compel men into the position of leaders. 

" My father had long before passed from a colder school 
into a warmer atmosphere of theology when in 1829 he 
was joined by Mr. Tyng. These two men in Phila- 
delphia, with Mr. Milnor in New York, were destined to be 
especially instrumental in giving a new current to the 
thoughts of our Church. Then began a conspicuous re- 
vival of those views of Evangelical religion which have at 
last become as substantially characteristic of our pulpit as 
they always were of our Liturgy. Conspicuous exceptions 
only render this general estimate the more noticeable. 
The elder of the two, at the age of forty-one, passed away 
before the critical point was reached. The younger lived 
to stand as a rock at that crisis in the controversy when 
the floods rose to their highest point, and at a venerable 
age rejoiced in the victory of truth and peace, long before 
his eighty-fifth year admitted him to rest. 

" Looking back from this age of indifference to those 
years which tried men's souls and tested their beliefs, we 
cry impulsively, with David, as the mountains of Gilboa 



THE FUNERAL OF THE REV. S. H TVjVG, D.D. 411 

recall a vision of strife and victory, but with losses to the 
Church of God : * How are the mighty fallen, and the 
weapons of war perished ! ' 

" Dr. Tyng was a man of impressive presence, of quick 
decision, of true spirituality ; blessed with an accurate and 
retentive memory ; of remarkable self-reliance and firm- 
ness of purpose. ... 

" Dr. Tyng was a strong thinker, a native orator, a man 
whose vision of truth was so clear and well defined that he 
could not realize the meaning of contradiction. . . . 
Consequently his life was a continual strife. ... In moral 
warfare he lacked one quality, sometimes useful, often dan- 
gerous to its possessor — elasticity or adaptability. That 
was impossible to so strong a character. And therefore, 
with all the capacity for unlimited leadership, he remained 
only leader of a party. ... 

" Dr. Tyng was a judicious autocrat. I use the word as 
characteristic of his rectorship. . . . The pastor chosen by 
the representatives of the congregation, while remaining a 
minister, becomes a rector ; and autocracy in the spiritual 
affairs of a parish is one secret of success. . . . Dr. Tyng 
understood this system thoroughly, and held in his own 
hand all the interlacing threads of its power. ... In St. 
Paul's and the Epiphany in Philadelphia, in St. George's, 
Beekman Street, and St. George's, Stuyvesant Square, in 
New York, the success of Dr. Tyng's rectorship was 
marked. Harmonious co-operation was never seriously 
marred. A judicious autocrat held the reins within his 
own province, and each several vestry wisely acknowledged 
his canonical autocracy. That absurdity was never seen 
beneath his flashing eye — a flock divided within itself ; nor 
a flock which had assumed to lay the pastoral staff between 
the horns of some venerable leader, while the pastor was 
expected to follow meekly in the rear. But his autocracy 



412 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

was as judicious as it was inflexible. . . . This judicious- 
ness was shown in his management of all that related to 
the spiritual interests of his parishes, his subjects for in- 
struction, his systematic themes for lectures, his well-ar- 
ranged prayer-meetings, devotional, enlivening, but free 
from unwholesome excitement ; his Sunday-schools, won- 
derful for their success, not only in numbers, but in their 
power of producing the intended end : leading the little 
ones of his flock to the Good Shepherd, and keeping them 
under His Divine guidance as years rolled by. . . . 

** One would almost have been disposed to consider his 
pastoral proficiency to be an instinct, rather than the 
result of cultivation, so entirely different was the man 
as he passed from the chancel to the home of grief or 
perplexity. In the one, except to those who knew him well, 
he seemed, if not to repel, at least not to invite personal in- 
timacy. In the other the cold exterior disappeared as 
magically as does the thin ice veil of a November night 
before the morning sun when it looks lovingly into the 
shadows of our Western valleys. To the suffering and the 
sick he was as a father cherishing his children. Ordinary 
consolations came with extraordinary warmth from his 
heart of love. His visits were reviving, refreshing, full of 
help, because illustrated by his own deep religious experi- 
ence, and enlivened by his abundant fund of incident and 
anecdote. ... 

" His memory was accurate and retentive. You have 
heard that in his immense Sunday-school in the Church of 
the Epiphany, Philadelphia — two thousand children — he 
knew them all, and could call ever}'' child by name. 

" I have heard him repeat, word for word, a merely in- 
cidental remark made in his presence three years be- 
fore. ... 

** Dr. Tyng was almost unrivalled in his day as a distin- 



THE FUNERAL OF THE REV. S. H TYNG, D.D. 413 

guished orator. On the platform a fine figure, manly and 
firm, with a clear utterance and sonorous voice, whenever 
he rose to speak men stirred themselves to hearken, some 
prepared themselves to resist. 

'* His were not honeyed words, nor were they tempered 
by the temper of his audience. They were truths as they 
appeared to himself, and being convictions, carried in their 
utterance all the force of his own decision, and the added 
persuasion that all men ought to believe them. His con- 
temporary, Dr. Hawks, was an orator of another make. 
Gentle, graceful, with a voice of exquisite melody, and 
with a charm of rhetoric that could not be surpassed ; firm 
in his convictions of truth, but keen in perception of the 
temper of his audience, he won his way to the judgment 
through the affections. When he rose to speak men pre- 
pared themselves to be moved, and moved they were. 
When these two orators were secured as advocates for any 
cause the cause was already won, 

" In our iron works in Ohio we have two modes of creat- 
ing permanent impressions. One, when the furnace is at 
white heat, running the molten iron through it into 
moulds ; then, without any power of resistance, it is in- 
duced to take the very form which the moulder has pre- 
pared. That was Dr. Hawks's method. The other is the 
anvil and the sledge-hammer, under which, whether it be 
a heated bar or a cold slab, it is compelled to take the de- 
sired form, and then by rivet and strong arm is bolted 
down forever. . . . Da you not recognize Dr. Tyng in 
the text of the first sermon that he preached in St. 
George's ? — ' Therefore have I set my face like a flint ' (Is. 
50 : 7). Do you not hear Dr. Tyng as the text reverber- 
ates, * Is not my word, saith the Lord, like a hammer, that 
breaketh the rock in pieces ? ' 

" The characteristic of his eloquence was force. For he 



414 ' THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

was undoubtedly, above every characteristic that I have 
mentioned, an effective preacher. . . . You do not hear the 
people say, * How beautiful,' but * How true.' You do not 
hear the whisper, * How well it suits my neighbor,' but in 
the impressive silence that follows, and the unbidden tear 
that falls, one finds assurance that a heavenly voice is utter- 
ing within the soul, ' Thou art the man.' . . . He 
preached the Gospel only and continually, always some 
phase of that many-sided, marvellous, glorious message, 
' God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten 
Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, 
but should have eternal life.' ... 

" His preaching was remarkable for what it included. 
It included everything that God the Holy Ghost has 
revealed to us concerning the love of God the Father, 
in Christ Jesus our Lord, to a fallen race, spiritually 
ruined, born in sin, each and every individual in it also a 
sinner by choice, whose only hope is in the redemption, the 
Atonement by the precious blood of the Lamb slain from 
the foundation of the world. And, on the other side, it in- 
cluded God's revelation of just indignation against every 
one who wilfully neglects or despises His word or His 
mercy. 

" It was especially remarkable, as compared with the 
ordinary teaching of these later days, that these truths 
were taken for granted. He did not weary himself to 
prove that God's words were true, nor perplex himself or 
his hearers by endeavoring to explain or explain away 
what God had spoken. He took for granted that when God 
said, * The soul that sinneth, it shall die,' it was not only 
true, but intended to be believed ; and that that death, 
however it might be phrased, was death, and therefore to 
be dreaded and escaped from by a living soul. He took 
for granted that when Christ said, ' Except a man be born 



THE FUNERAL OF THE REV. S. H TVNG, D.D. 415 

again, he cannot see the kingdom of God/ He meant it, and 
that every man who enters the kingdom must be born 
again — converted, he meant ; and that therefore every man 
who is not certain that he has been born again, in the sense 
in which Jesus used that term when speaking to a member 
of the Church — a good man, a man who had entered the 
Church by the initial rite, and partook of the Passover 
every year according to the law — will never see the king- 
dom of God, however he may be surrounded by sacra- 
ments, or protected by the battlements of the Church. . . , 

" The efficacy of the Atonement ; the only mode of secur- 
ing salvation in Christ by believing God's promise through 
the propitiatory sacrifice of Christ ; the communion of the 
saints on earth the true Catholic Church ; the resurrection 
of the body and the life everlasting the grand outcome of 
the kingdom of God as it shall pass into the majestic glories 
of the kingdom of heaven : truth because revealed in the 
Bible — these, in brief, were the themes of his preach- 
ing. . . . 

** Next, his preaching was remarkable for what it did not 
contain. In these days what will you not hear in many so- 
called Christian pulpits ? Defences of spiritual religion, 
•by whatever arguments you can conceive, that have no 
spirituality in them. Explanations of mysteries, purposely 
left unexplained by revelation as an exercise of faith ; ex- 
planations which reduce them to the common ground of 
things seen, and naturalize the Gospel. Denials of explicit 
teaching of Scripture, merely because the hearer or the 
teacher is as yet incapable of fathoming the mind of the 
Omniscient Jehovah. You never heard Dr. Tyng giving a 
lecture on science, or art, or the humanities, when he sup- 
posed that he was preaching the Gospel. You never heard 
Dr. Tyng attempting to reconcile the Gospel with theories 
of creation which in the last analysis deny human responsi- 



416 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

bility, deny the immortality of the soul, deny the need or 
the possibility of a Christ, and the very being of God. 
Esthetic Ritualism leading to doctrinal Ritualism, and 
that leading directly to Agnosticism and fatalism by its re- 
duction of all things spiritual to a bare materialism ; salva- 
tion by things seen, not by things unseen — these are the 
abhorrent teachings which had no place in his visions of 
the Cross ; which could never be found in his vocabulary 
of the Gospel. 

" Remarkable for all that it included, and equally re- 
markable for what it excluded, Dr. Tyng's other source of 
efficiency was the personality of his address. His sermons 
were a dialogue. It was I and Thou. Many preachers 
have equalled him in clear annunciation and exposition of 
Gospel truth, but few have shown his skill and power in 
forcing the truth up to the very door of individual con- 
science. . . . Every man felt that Dr. Tyngwas speaking 
to him. ... * Who is on the Lord's side ?' you hear him 
say ; and you do not wonder that he draws the sword of 
the Spirit, and makes a direct attack on the man full 
panoplied in habits of sin, in contempt or indifference to 
the King. He looks him in the eye. * Thou art the man.' 
There are no honeyed words, no gentle hopes that in some 
unknown way this sinner against grace may yet manage to 
escape the wrath to come. ' He that is not with me is 
against me.' * He that believeth not is condemned al- 
ready.' It is not the world that he is talking to. It is not 
the Church. It is not the respectable members of respec- 
table society who gather in the pews to pass an hour of the 
Sabbath, and listen patiently as to an oft-told tale. But it 
is he, the unconverted man. This is Moody's power — 
the power of the generation of preachers in our Church 
that is past — past ! Alas ! and gone. ... 

" This personality of address, this individualism in 



THE FUNERAL OF THE REV. S-. H TYNG, D.D. 417 

preaching, were equally manifest in Dr. Tyng's dealing 
with the real members of Christ in his congregations. But 
then it had a different tone. The gentleness of Christ sub- 
dued the warrior. And the peaceful, peace-giving loveli- 
ness of the Gospel came with redoubled influence from the 
lips that had been breathing God's just indignation against 
the wicked. There was something in the effect of contrast, 
but more in the realization that this Gospel of grace had 
transformed the preacher. The hearer confided in one 
who knew of what he was speaking. And every fruit of 
the Spirit, and all the consolations of religion, followed 
into the hearts of those who were ready to receive them. 
There, also, it was the dialogue between experiences, the 
experience of the teacher and the experience of the scholar ; 
it was I and Thou, and effective because of its personal- 
ity. . . . ^ 

** I have finished the outline. It is a sketch of the public 
man, of the man as the world knew him. I could not fill 
up the picture without trenching on a sphere where a man 
has a right to feel that he is alone with God, and reveals 
himself, if at all, only to a few. But I have failed in the 
delineation if you are not conscious that Dr. Tyng was a 
dual man. There were two sides to his character — the 
natural, where his peculiar native gifts exhibited their 
power under the control of a thorough self-consecration to 
the service of Christ ; and the spiritual, where his natural 
qualities were converted, held under the sweet control of 
Divine grace ; where gentleness and calmness, sympathy 
and devout affection, marked the mighty man— two 
different persons ; and among his congregations they only 
saw both sides of his character, who, under Providential 
dispensations needed commiseration and brotherly care, 
or sought and deserved his confidence. . . . These made 
him the judicious autocrat, the able executive, the eloquent 



418 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

orator, the effective preacher. But it was another man 
whose visit to the bedside of the sick was as refreshing as 
the breath from the cedars of Libanus ; whose voice by the 
couch of the dying was like the melody of angels, and 
seemed to open heaven to the worn and weary spirit. It 
was the other man who counselled in distress, who put his 
strong arm patiently and lovingly round discouragement, 
or with skilful fingers bound up the broken-hearted. It 
was the other man upon whose knees the children loved to 
climb, and listen, as to the music of the spheres, while his 
fertile imagination wove wondrous creations for their in- 
struction or amusement. ... 

*' This was the man new born of the Spirit, whose heart 
the Lord had touched, whose life was hid with Christ in 
God, who amid all the tumults and conflicts of his con- 
secrated nature was daily becoming more and more Christ- 
like, more and more conformed to the image of God's dear 
Son. 

" The reminiscence of one scene in our intercourse with 
him in later years illustrates this contrast and completes 
my story. We were talking of the love of Christ, and of 
the heavenly rest. Suddenly he stopped, and said, * You 
remember the hymn : 

' " There, anchored safe, my weary soul 
Shall find eternal rest." ' 

** Yes I we thought ; and how significant of the hopes of 
the sturdy character before us, the man of conflicts and 
turmoil, to whom amid the storms of life God's Provi- 
dence has granted scarcely one tranquil hour. How glad 
a moment when he shall find his bark safe anchored in the 
harbor, and his soul at rest that side the breakers I 

** * No !' he exclaimed, * I never want to sing that old 
version of the hymn as in our Prayer-Book : 



THE FUNERAL OF THE REV. S. H TYNG, D.D. 419 

' " There, anchored safe, my weary soul 
Shall find eternal rest : 
Nor storms shall beat nor billows roll 
Across my peaceful breast." 

" ' I do not want to be anchored ; I do not like to think 
of the chain cable, and the iron flukes, and the hard rock, 
nor of the cold beating storms, and the heavy rolling billows. 
No — .' Then, looking up, an expression of wrapt peace 
came over his noble countenance ; he stretched out his 
hands, gently, and said, slowly, in the most tender tones, 
and emphasizing every word : 

" ' There shall I bathe my weary soul 
In seas of heavenly rest, 
And not a wave of trouble roll 
Across my peaceful breast.' " 

THE REV. DR. TYNG A PRACTICAL MISSIONER. 

The earnest Bishop of Western New York, who for years 
has been deeply interested in special services for the pro- 
motion of growth in grace and the conversion of the god- 
less, and desires that more rectors in his diocese may soon 
welcome parochial missions, recently told the author that 
the Rev. Dr. Milnor, the predecessor of the Rev. Dr. Tyng 
as rector of St. George's Church, Beekman Street, was 
deeply interested in special revival services. During the 
season of Lent Dr. Milnor's sermons were practically mis- 
sion sermons, and their influence was not limited to his 
parishioners. Before closing the memorial address in 
St. George's Church, the Bishop of Ohio said : " How 
Dr. Tyng would have rejoiced to share in the mission which 
you have inaugurated in St. George's, and which is to 
welcome Advent Sunday in so many churches in New York ! 
Blessed is the Bishop who has his quiver full of such pas- 
tors ! Missions were no novelty in Dr. Tyng's day. Then 
they were called ' revivals.' I like the old name better, be- 



420 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

cause it indicates that revival precedes mission ; that a 
revival in the heart of the pastor and in the earnest praying 
people of his flock must go before the hope of being ef- 
fectual in carrying the news of the Gospel outside of the 
Church. But by whatever name you call this rose of 
Sharon in the Garden of the Lord, blessed be its perfume ! 
Only let the Gospel be clear, distinct in its fulness and in 
its freeness, redolent of the mercies of our Lord, bathed in 
the blood of the Atonement, sanctified by the prayers of the 
faithful, borne up and borne on upon the faith of those who 
believe that God will be true to His word. Then such a 
refreshing will come upon you from the Spirit of all grace 
as will at last bring the realities of this Advent to take 
their proper place among the realities of your daily walk 
with Christ." 

There are those who sorrow over the circumstance that 
the praise in St. George's Church is led by a choir of sur- 
pliced men and boys. But the sight on any Sunday 
morning of the vast congregation which fills St. George's, 
listening to the unchanged Gospel of Christ, ought to turn 
sorrow into joy, and should be the assurance that what Dr. 
Tyng held most dear is still faithtfully preached and gladly 
received in the church he loved so well and of which he 
was so long the beloved and devoted rector. 



THE MISSION AT ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH, 421 



CHAPTER XII. 

THE MISSION AT ST. GEORGE's CHURCH, NEWBURG. 

Preparation for the Mission — The Parish Active — The Mission 
Services — Large Congregations — Services for Men only — For 
Women only — Results of the Mission. 

The rector, the Rev. Octavius Appelgate, S.T.D., though 
one of the Mission Committee as originally appointed by 
the Rt. Rev. H. C. Potter, D.D., and taking an earnest 
part in its counsels, had no idea of having a mission in his 
own church until June 2d, when the Rev. Mr. Stephens, 
two days before his return to England, offered him the ser- 
vices of the Rev. Mr. Aitken and himself for the time dur- 
ing which they were to have been in Baltimore.* So rare 
an opportunity of much possible good could not be re- 
fused ; and when it was announced to the congregation, 
the people, feeling they had not sought the mission, but 
that it had come to them, prepared for it with a diligence, 
prayerfulness, and expectation of blessing that would have 
been a great advantage in itself, had the mission not been 
promised. The city was carefully canvassed, and much 
visiting done. Meetings of the gentlemen of the parish as 
well as of the ladies were held for explanation and to make 

* The Rev. J. Stephens visited America several months in advance, in 
order to arrange for the New York Advent Mission, and then returned to 
England. Afterward he arrived with Missioner Aitlcen. 



422 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

arrangements. A large choir practised the special hymns 
to be used. 

" On October 17th, the Saturday following the retreat 
at Garrison's, addresses were made by both missioners 
to a large congregation of Church worliers. The mission 
continued for two weeks. All of the services were well 
attended, and every evening the church was overcrowd- 
ed. There was a celebration of the Holy Communion 
every day. Every morning there was a sermon on the 
Christian Life and a meeting for special intercessions. 
Every afternoon a service for children was held, also a 
meeting for women, conducted by Mrs. Crouch and Miss 
Parker. These were held for one week in the church 
Sunday-school room and for one week at the mission 
chapel. On Sundays there were three celebrations of 
Holy Communion. Special services were held for men 
only on Sunday afternoons, which will never be forgotten 
by those who attended them. The second Sunday, at four, 
a churchful of children poured out through waiting ranks 
of men, who quickly filled the church. 

While the mission at St. George's Church, Newburg, 
N. Y., in some of its features differed much from what 
rector and people had expected, both are devoutly thankful 
that it was held, and feel that both congregation and com- 
munity have received an impulse to more earnest faith and 
godliness. The spiritual life of the Church was quickened, 
zeal inflamed, faith strengthened, energy called forth ; and 
many of the ungodly and impenitent were alarmed and 
convinced ; and, as in the apostolic days, the Lord has since 
added to the Church those who shall be saved. Missioner 
Aitken's sermons, his appeals, his prayers, affected both 
mind and heart, and from the first he went on advancing 
in power and usefulness. The mission forms a bright spot 
in the history of Newburg, and for years to come its blessed- 



THE MISSION AT ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH. 423 

ness will be felt and enjoyed." At the same time that 
Missioner Aitken was preaching the gospel in St. George's 
Church, Evangelist Moody was also conducting revival 
services in Newburg. They always meet each other with 
mutual pleasure, for years ago Mr. Moody earnestly advised 
him to resign as the vicar of Everton, Liverpool, England, 
and henceforth to " do the work of an Evangelist." 



424 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER XIIL 

THE MISSION IN ST. LUKe's CHURCH, BROOKLYN. 

One of the Preparatory Services — The Mission Commenced — The 
Growing Interest — Statistics of Results — The Rector and Par- 
ish Encouraged. 

On Friday, October i6th, the rector of St. Luke's Church 
(the Rev. G. R. Van De Water) held a meeting of the men of 
the parish. About forty were present. The plan and ob= 
ject of the contemplated mission was set forth, and freedom 
was given to those present to express their views. Eight 
laymen responded in a frank spirit of discussion, and all 
offered their individual assistance to the rector. On Tues- 
day, October 20th, volunteers for actual work were invited 
to meet in the guild room at the Parish Hall. There were 
thirty-five present, and the rector said that no one was 
asked to act unless inclined to do so from a heartfelt in- 
terest in the mission. Four committees were formed : (r) 
to see to the seating of the congregation, preserve order, 
distribute service-books, etc. ; (2) to circulate information, 
distribute pamphlets at factories, shops, lines of travel, and 
through the press ; to make known the design of the ser- 
vices ; (3) to lead the musical portion of the services, and 
to take positions in various parts of the church and chapel 
for that purpose ; (4) on spiritual work, to make personal 
visitations, and aid in the more confidential work. 

The different committees acted with alacrity, and evinced 



THE MISSION IN ST. LUKE'S CHURCH. 425 

a spirit of earnestness which promised sincere co-opera- 
tion with the clergy. The "auxiliary," comprising the 
women-workers of the parish, organized committees to 
act in similar capacities among the women of the various 
classes for which the special services were designed. The 
children held stated meetings and practised hymns ; and 
their special services were of a suitable character. • 

On the evening of October 31st, 1885, a preliminary mis- 
sion meeting was held in the Sunday-school room of St. 
Luke's, intended for the workers who had already been 
organized into several committees for separate purposes. 

On the Sunday following the mission opened with reg- 
ular morning service, at which time the Rev. W. Hay 
McDowell Aitken preached to a crowded gathering, 
principally parishioners. The afternoon was devoted to 
a men's meeting, at which, though the weather was un- 
favorable, some two hundred or more were present. The 
following Sunday a similar service for men was held, 
at which some four hundred were present, although it 
rained heavily. For two weeks, Saturdays excepted, from 
four to seven, separate daily services were held in St. 
Luke's Church and the Sunday-school room adjoining. 
The evening services were well attended at first, but it re- 
mained till the second week before the church (which ac- 
commodates eight or nine hundred people) could be said 
to be really full. The majority of those who attended were 
from other parishes, and other worshippers, and so, alto- 
gether, a wide influence was exerted. 

At the morning service Bishop Littlejohn delivered a 
fervent address on *' The. Value of the Parochial Mission." 
He showed, (i) The Church must be as wide and flexible in 
its methods as the nature which it would lead to Christ ; 
(2) There is no ground to fear the fullest play and counter- 
play of the Church's centrifugal and centripetal forces; 



426 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

(3) The life without the Church and the life within the 
Church give abundant evidence of the need and value 
of the parochial mission. The Bishop closed his address 
*' by alluding to the revival in England," which began 
with the Wesleys in the last century, and rolled up its 
mighty army of itinerating evangelists, for which the 
cold, regular, respectable religion of the Mother Church 
could find no room, and which finally, in an evil hour, 
parted with its heritage of apostolic order, largely because 
of the unwisdom of its duly ordained guardians. 

The Church is seeking to recover and bring 10 the front 
more and more gifts and powers which have gone to rust 
for lack of using. She is rounding out, more and more, 
her own consciousness and, with that, her modes of wor- 
ship, her styles of preaching, her methods of practical 
activity, so as to bring them all up to the level of her al- 
ways Catholic heritages. She is for all men, and to all 
she must speak. She is for the ages, and to each she 
must present Christ as the fulness of Him who filleth all 
in all. 

As a final result of the mission in St. Luke's church, 
Brooklyn, more than two hundred letters of acknowledg- 
ment of good received were sent to the rector ; but 
continuously, and to this writing, even more substantial 
and manifest fruits of the mission abound on all sides, 
more to be valued than the ready demonstrations by 
immediate communications. From those initial services 
there were ready scores to herald the blessing to the 
parishes which followed with the same services in New 
York, so that the indirect good can hardly be defined. 
Distant parishes as far south as New Orleans, from the 
West and East, directed frequent letters to the rector 
and parishioners of St, Luke's, and replies quickened and 
aided their efforts in advance of any actual services. Sev- 



THE MISSION IN ST. LUKE'S CHURCH. 427 

eral parishes in Brooklyn instituted similar services with 
good and marked results. No doubt but future missions 
in the diocese of Long Island will embrace the active co- 
operation of many parishes. The geographical location of 
St. Luke's did not offer the advantage of attracting the 
working classes as they are known, nor to attract the at- 
tention of the great throngs which streamed by on avenues 
just sufficiently distant to escape notice. The mission in 
St. Luke's, however, will ever prove of historic interest, 
and now promises to leave an impress that will be more 
valued as time rolls on, to be added to the inestimable 
fruits already garnered. 

As statistics of results, the following is a partial sum- 
mary : 

ist. A large number of strangers attend the parish 
services. 

2d. All the organizations of the parish were recruited by 
the accession of new members. 

3d. A general revival of interest is seen in the increased 
offerings and general enthusiasm. 

4th. Over thirty new farailies on whom to work for 
months to come, brought to attention through the services. 

5th. Mutual and valuable benefits secured through a 
committee of laymen, who, under the direction of the rec- 
tor, called personally upon heads of families and conversed 
with them regarding spiritual duties. 

6th. Larger numbers attending the early celebrations of 
the Holy Communion. 

7th. Success of an effort to secure subscribers for a 
weekly church paper, by which more than double the former 
number has been obtained. 

8th. A large number of persons who were benefited by 
the mission indicated its nature by complying with the 
requests on the following leaflet : 



428 



THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



THE MISSION. 

St. Luke's church, Brooklyn, 

1885. 



Please put a X iefore any of the following questions which you wish 
to answer in the affirmative^ and sign your name and address at the 
bottom of the paper. 



Will you join St. Luke's Guild or Auxiliary ? 



Do you wish to be confirmed ? 



Do you wish to join a Bible Class for Young Men ? 



Do you wish to join a Bible Class for Young Women ? 



Do you wish to join our Communicants' Union ? 



Will you join a Bible Class for Ladies ? 



Do you wish to become a Sunday-School Teacher ? 



Are you willing to undertake any work for God ? 



Do you wish to speak with your Rector on any of the above subjects ? 



Has the Mission been in any way a great blessing to you ? 



Name- 



Address 

Kindly place this paper in the Box at the entrance to the Church. 



Your faithful Friends, 



MiSSIONERS. 



W. HAY AITKEN, 

JAMES STEPHENS, 

GEO. R. VAN DE WATER, Rector. 



a 



PR A YER FOR FAMILY AiYD PRIVA TE USE. 429 

The mission literature extensively circulated included 
prayers for family and private use. God, who is merciful 
and gracious, and forgives the sins of all who are truly 
penitent, during the New York Advent Mission heard and 
answered the petitions in the following comprehensive 
prayer : 

PRAYER IN BEHALF OF THE MISSION. 

O Almighty God, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, who didst not spare Thine only Son, but didst de- 
liver Him up for us all, we come unto Thee with all con- 
fidence of access by the faith of Him. Thou hast said 
that if we ask anything according to Thy will, Thou 
hearest us. We ask Thee, then, to bless with Thy favor 
the effort about to be made in this place for the extension 
of Thy kingdom. Pour out, we beseech Thee, of Thy 
Spirit upon us all — upon the mission preachers, that they 
may come among us in the fulness of the blessing of the 
Gospel of Christ ; upon our own ministers and their fellow- 
workers, that they may be filled with love for souls, and 
zeal for Thy glory ; upon ourselves, that we may open our 
hearts to receive the message which Thou sendest us and 
may set ourselves earnestly to seek Thy face. Give to us 
all the Spirit of grace and of supplication, the Spirit of 
power and of love, and of a sound mind. Take from us 
all coldness, deadness, and indifference to eternal things. 
Have especial mercy, we pray Thee, upon those of us who 
as yet know Thee not. Bring us to know Thee, and Jesus 
Christ whom Thou hast sent. Build up, we beseech Thee, 
those of us who already know and love Thee in our most 
holy faith ; stablish, strengthen, settle us, and make us 
faithful in every good word and work. Magnify Thy 
Word, and fulfil Thy promise, and baptize us all with -the 
Holy Ghost. Let it be seen, O God, that Thou art still 
the same Lord, waiting to be gracious, not willing that 



430 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

any should perish, but that all should come to repent- 
ance. 

And now, Lord, what wait we for ? Truly our hope is 
even in Thee. Shut not Thy merciful ears to our prayer. 
Hear from heaven Thy dwelling-place, and do Thou for us 
more than we know how to ask or think. 

Let the Redeemer see in us of the travail of His soul, 
and be satisfied. We ask everything for His name's sake. 
Amen and Amen. 



PREFATORY NOTES. 431 



PART V, 



PREFATORY NOTES. 

"who originated the parochial mission?" 

Some Churchmen have manifested undue sensitiveness at 
any intimation that a " parochial mission" is analogous 
to a " Methodist or any denominational revival," and 
have taken great pains to assure the public that such is 
not the case. But if a mission or revival is blessed by 
Almighty God, and slumberers in Zion are aroused and 
lost sinners saved, like St. Paul, let us rejoice, if by any 
means " Christ is preached and the Gospel furthered." 

" We should seize upon truth where'er 'tis found, 
Among our friends, among our foes. 
On Christian or on heathen ground ; 
The truth's divine, where'er it grows." 

Looking through the historic telescope of the thirteenth 
century, we see the learned and zealous St. Dominic* erect 
the standard of the cross in market-places and in public 
squares ; also in the vicinity of churches, abbeys, and 
cathedrals. The " secular clergy" in the south of France 
consider him an intruder, a trespasser, and an innovator on 
customs long established, and desire him to withdraw from 
their parochial boundaries. Some are as much excited as 
were members of the Sanhedrin when Apostles " preached 



* " Domingo de Gurman." See Independent, December 3, p. 5. 



432 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



Christ " in the vicinity of the synagogues and temple ; and 
as were the traders in the silver trinkets made by Demetrius 
for the shrines of the goddess Diana, when St. Paul 
preached at Ephesus, and they uproariously cried : " Our 
craft is in danger ! Listen ! " Even the secular clergy 
dare not preach, for preaching is an Episcopal prerogative ! 
The shepherd's staff is the symbol that teaching is an 
Episcopal function ! The shepherd's crook is the sign of 
the Bishop's pastoral jurisdiction ! Depart at once from 
our domain, or the bishops will soon inhibit " you from 
preaching anywhere." 

St. Dominic departs, but he goes to Rome, and obtains 
the Pope's authority to itinerate and " do the work of an 
evangelist." After his return to France, he organizes an 
order of missioners, called " the Dominicans ;" but as on 
the outside of their white vestment they wore a black cloak, 
they were named the " Black, or Preaching Friars." In 
view of the large additions to the churches through this 
departure from the parochial modes of the " secular 
clergy," the Franciscans, the Carmelites, the Augustinians, 
and other monastic orders, in imitation of the Dominicans, 
itinerated as missioners, and soon became the great street 
preachers of the times in which they lived. 

After the Reformation a new order of missioners was 
organized, called " the Society of Jesus ;" and as in their 
mission modes they avoided the mistakes of their predeces- 
sors, and adopted what was excellent and of good report, 
they soon surpassed them in efficiency and influence. They 
included the Oblates, the Lazarists, the Redemptorists, 
and the Passionists. The congregation of St. Paul the 
Apostle or Paulists of America are brotherhoods of mis- 
sioners whose specific aim is '* through the mission to in- 
crease the fervor and holiness of the good, to warm up the 
cold and indifferent, and to convert the godless." 



PREFATORY NOTES. 



433 



When earnest bishops and clergy first held special ser- 
vices to produce similar results, they were called Meth- 
odists, Ritualists, Iconoclasts, disturbers of the Church's 
peace, and innovators on parochial methods bearing the 
seal of ages. But in view of the contrast between the 
Anglican Church asleep and the same Church awake, dif- 
ferent clergymen claimed that they were the first who 
cried, " Awake, arise, and put on thy strength !" Even a 
newspaper controversy failed to show whether an Evangel- 
ical clergyman or a " Ritualist' ' were the righteous claimant. 
Some ** High Churchmen" said : ** Our representative was 
the first, and he deserves the credit." " Low Church- 
men" set up a similar claim for one of their leaders. But 
** Broad Churchmen," who had also taken part in the great 
revival, calmly studied the Church's altitude, latitude, and 
longitude. The clergy who years before left a comfortable 
parsonage, vicarage, or rectory, and, without taking " a 
vow to be poor," submitted to involuntary poverty for the 
Church's general welfare, were not considered by the dif- 
ferent claimants worthy of the least consideration ! 

But as " the Parochial Mission" originated in the Roman 
Catholic Church, and in view of its efficiency as a parochial 
agency was wisely adopted by the Church of England, as 
adoption is not creation, surely imitators are not origi- 
nators ! That the Church is now in a revived state is an 
undeniable fact, but who first aroused her is of but little 
account ; and no man may claim for himelf the honor of 
having been the first to arouse slumbering Zion because 
another first aroused him. 

Therefore, all the glory belongs to God the Holy Ghost, 
who simultaneously moved clergymen in different places 
to cry to the slumberers, ** Behold, the Bridegroom 
Cometh ; go ye out to meet Him !" But while not one of 
them may claim that he originated the parochial mission, 



434 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

each may say, " I was a co-operator," and all should sing 
in unison : " We are workers together with God." The 
wonderful revival in the Church resembles the potent but 
invisible wind, whose sound we hear and its influence 
feel ; but no man can tell its human origin or its Divine 
extent. The bishops and clergy named in " The Church 
Revived," and others not mentioned, deserve commenda- 
tion for the impetus given to missions by their co-operation 
or encouragement. Each will be rewarded according to his 
works ; and if the Master praises, what are men ? At His 
Epiphany no faithful servant will desire another servant's 
crown. Each will shine as the sun in the kingdom of Elis 
Father, and all will sing : " Thanks be to God who hath 
given us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord !" 

At the anniversary of the large Sunday-school of St. 
Mark's Memorial Chapel, held in the parish church — Will- 
iam V. King, Esq., the efficient superintendent — M. A. 
Gilbert Esq., delivered an address, in which he described 
the industrious man who gathered the thrown-aside frag- 
ments of a stained-glass memorial window; and by the 
law of the " survival of the fittest," the law of " selection," 
and the laws of *' combination," made of the variegated 
little fragments a beautiful window that in the dazzling 
sunshine glittered like a combination of rubies, sapphires, 
emeralds, and other precious stones. The lesson which Mr. 
Gilbert desired the children to learn from this incident is 
the importance of gathering up the little fragments of 
time and of knowledge, and the diligent use of opportu- 
nities of usefulness, in order to combine the harmonious and 
beautiful traits of Christian character through which the 
Sun of Righteousness will shine upon others. 

" The Church Revived" is a memorial window through 
which parochial mission light of church life shines. Critics 
may use their hammers of criticism, and break it into frag- 



PREFA TOR Y NOTES, 



435 



ments, and, in accordance with *' the law of the survival of 
the fittest/ ' .select from other " fragments that remain" 
pieces of glass clear as crystal, and, by a different combina- 
tion, form another memorial window, ihroagh which 
brighter light might shine, alluring more persons who are 
on the outside of our Church to come within ; and, for- 
getting the work of man, honor God, and unitedly sing : 
*' We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, we 
glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee for Thy great glory, 
O Lord God, heavenly king, God the Father Almighty !" 



436 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER L 

THE NEW YORK ADVENT MISSION. 

The Committee of Arrangements — English Missioners Invited — 
The Preparatory Meetings — Special Reasons for the Mission — 
The Crux at Last — The Sudden Death of the Bishop of 
Florida. 

Through the scarcity of missioners, and the lack of a 
fund to support them, the mission flame began to burn 
dimly ; but God did not suffer it to be extinguished. 
About two years ago a few earnest clergymen were moved 
to prepare for a mission in New York City, on a larger 
scale than had been heretofore attempted. Bishop H. 
C. Potter issued a circular inviting the clergy to assemble 
and consider whether it would be desirable and expedient, 
and appointed a committee to make suitable preparation, 
and to invite eminent English missioners to " come over 
and help us." Some accepted the invitation, but others 
could not come. Among the latter are Canon Bell and 
the earnest son of Bishop Wilberforce, of England, the 
Rev. Canon Wilberforce, the great orator of the Church 
Temperance Society, who preaches and lectures as if in- 
spired ; but, prostrated through incessant labors, he was 
obliged to stay at home. " The Church-of-England mis- 
sioners" are the Rev. W. Hay Aitken, M.A.; the Rev. 
J. Stephens ; the Rev. E. Warren, of London ; the Rev. 



THE NE W YORK AD VENT MISSION. 



437 



F. Pigou, Vicar of Halifax ; the Rev. M. Ransford, of Lon- 
don ; the Rev. Mr. Hartley ; the Rev. I. M. Thompson, of 
Canada ; the Very Rev. H. M. Hart, Dean of the Cathedral, 
Denver, Col.; the Rev. Drs. Courtney, Campbell, Fair, and 
Grafton, formerly clergymen of the Church of England. 
Some have questioned the propriety of " inviting foreign 
clergymen to conduct the mission services ;" but the clergy 
who co-operated with them candidly confessed that through 
them they derived personal spiritual benefits. 

During the last week in October five of the Episcopal 
churches in Pittsburg, Pa., were open daily, and services 
held " to keep up and deepen" the interest excited by the 
visit of Messrs. Moody and Sankey last spring, and to use 
special means to allure the unsaved to the services. A 
report of the daily services by an Episcopal clergyman, pub- 
lished in a church paper, November nth, says : " It is un- 
gracious to criticise, even in the most friendly spirit, work 
of this kind ; and yet it is only by recognizing what we fail 
to do, as well as what we accomplish, that we are able to 
find the way to real success in the end. Our parish clergy 
are not missioners, and it was curious to observe how 
their habitual methods led them, without exception, to 
preach. The task of the trained missioner is not easily 
acquired by the parish clergyman. And yet it seems that 
there should be something out of the usual course of parish 
teaching to reach the careless multitude." 

In the Church of the Holy Communion, Twentieth St. and 
Sixth Avenue, the Rev. Henry Mottet, the earnest rector, 
months before the Advent Mission commenced, Bishop 
H. C. Potter, D.D., and a large representation of the clergy 
of the city, assembled again and again ; and, after the cele- 
bration of the Holy Communion, freely expressed their 
opinion as to whether it would be desirable to hold a mis- 
sion in New York City. All were to act with freedom as to 



438 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

whether they would have a mission ; and those who de- 
cided to do so were at liberty to choose their own mission- 
ers ; for the committee desired only to aid them in their 
prearrangements. The clergy, who were deeply impressed 
respecting the need for a mission, and had strong faith 
that God would greatly bless a special effort to arouse 
Christians from a state of spiritual slumber, and also to 
awaken the dead to life, frequently met in the church 
mentioned to offer united and fervent prayer that God the 
Holy Ghost would prepare the hearts of the people to re- 
ceive the message of His love ; and that God the Father 
would vouchsafe to save the people and increase His in- 
heritance. 

THE SPECIAL REASONS FOR THE MISSION. 

As given by the committee appointed by the Rt. Rev. 
H. C. Potter, D, D. , in a printed circular, they are : 

1. A large class of well-to-do and refined people, who 
have ceased to be, or never have been, church-goers. 

2. Formal communicants. 

3. The irreligion of the young men of our well-to-do 
families. 

4. The evils in the life of men and women in fashion- 
able society. 

5. The feeble recognition on the part of masters and mis- 
tresses of the need of church attendance by their servants, 
resulting largely from a want of care for the spiritual wel- 
fare of servants. 

6. The evils of class churches. 

7. The evils which come from the instability of church 
connection. 

8. The lack of opportunity for private prayer, consequent 
upon the condition of our tenement and boarding-houses, 
and the fact that few churches are constantly open. 



THE NE W YORK AD VENT MISSION. 



439 



9. The want of definite, positive instruction in religious 
duties, and in what practical Christian living -consists. 

10. The lack of personal spiritual ministry to the rich. 

11. The drain upon the minds, souls, and bodies of two 
classes : {a) of those who give themselves up to the 
demands of society life ; {p) of those laden down wnth too 
much work — unfitting both classes for a healthful Christian 
life. Among the causes of this drain we specify late 
hours ; the stores open late Saturday nights ; no Saturday 
half-holidays. 

12. The religious deprivation suffered by the large and 
rapidly increasing portion of the population called to labor 
at night, in connection with the homeless and the vicious 
classes abroad under cover of darkness. 

13. The wrongs inflicted by employers on their employes. 

14. The lust of wealth issuing in the manifold evils of 
unscrupulous competition ; over-work, under-pay, scamped 
work, and mutual enmity and discontent between emplover 
and employe. 

15. The immorality and irreligion caused by the un- 
righteous denial to a large and increasing class of one day's 
rest in seven. 

16. The prevalence of the sins of intemperance and im- 
purity. 

17. The special religious difficulties caused by the con- 
stant flow of immigrants. 

18. The hindrances to the growth of the Christian life 
caused by our luxuriousness and selfishness. 

19. The ostentations display by church-goers of all classes. 

20. The want of public spirit, bearing upon both Church 
and State. 

Before his departure to Paradise, the Rt. Rev. H. C. 
Lay, Bishop of Easton,* said : " There is a wretchedness 



* Convention Address, 1875. 



440 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

to be relieved. There are men just around our churches 
who for any interest shown for their salvation might as 
well be in the heart of Africa. . . . The crux at last,, 
however, is the problem of alluring within our reach the 
profligate, the profane, the careless. . . . I do give my 
hearty sanction to specific efforts which the clergy may 
undertake in this behalf, but on certain conditions and 
under certain limitations : i. Loyalty and brotherhood 
should pervade every such undertaking. 2. While several 
may assist, it seems necessary that one person should 
assume the guidance of the Mission. 3. Instruction should 
be the staple of the Mission, with exhortation growing out 
of it, with every care not to allow the service to degenerate 
into . excitement. 4. The services may be selected from 
the Prayer-Book or the Bible. . . . After careful thought 
I must record my disapproval of prayers other than those 
in the Prayer-Book, whether in the service or the after- 
meeting." 

In Memoriam. — '* In the midst of life we are in death." 
This was illustrated by the sudden death of the Rt. Rev. 
J. Freeman Young, Bishop of Florida. In apparent good 
health the Bishop had safely arrived in New York City, 
expecting to attend the special meetings of the Board of 
Missions. He registered at the Clarendon Hotel, Fourth 
Avenue. Suddenly he was prostrated from an attack of 
pneumonia. Before many of his friends knew of his 
illness he passed away. . . . All that was mortal of an 
American bishop was returned to his friends in Florida. 
At the meeting of the Board of Managers of the Missions 
of the Protestant Episcopal Church, January 12th, 1886, 
"a minute commemorative of the late Bishop of Florida 
was adopted by a rising vote, and ordered to be spread 
upon the records of the meeting." 



THE RETREAT AT GARRISON'S, N. V. 441 



CHAPTER II. 

THE RETREAT AT GARRISOn's, N. Y. 

T/i^ Daily Services — The Solein7t Addresses — The Quiet Seasons 
— How the Intervals were Spent — Was the Retreat Profitable ? 
— General Impression of the Clergy. 

The retreat at Garrison's, West Point, commenced Tues- 
day, October 13th, at 4.30 p.m. After a short service Mis- 
sioner Aitken delivered a comprehensive and impressive 
address on the '* Specific Objects of the Retreat.'' At 7 p.m. 
he preached on Isaiah's vision of the Holy Jehovah. The 
sermon was cxegetical, descriptive, intensely practical, and 
depicted how the prophet was suddenly prostrated by the 
vision of the Holy One, and God's great mercy in forgiv- 
ing his iniquity. The evening service was open to all, 
and the clergy and laity were instructed, edified, and 
profited. 

Wednesday, at 8 a.m., the missioner delivered a short 
address on *' The Divine Presence — our Retreat," after 
which the Holy Communion was celebrated. At the 10 
A.M. service matins were followed by silent prayer. At 
II A.M. hymns, prayers, and an instructive address on 
' * The Importance of the Shepherd going before His Flock. ' ' 
At 2.30 P.M. commenced the hour for meditation, the 
general subject, " Some of the Characteristics of the Good 
Shepherd." In connection with the intervals for self-ex- 
amination and silent prayer, the missioner made short, sug- 
gestive addresses. At the public service, at 7.30, after 



442 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

even song, he preached a practical sermon, profitable to 
both clergy and laity. Thursday, at 8 a.m., the subject of 
the address was " Our Own Vineyard." The preacher 
vividly depicted the contrast between great gifts used to 
promote self-glorification and lesser gifts consecrated to 
supremely promote the glory of God. He graphically de- 
scribed a minister who had gained collegiate honors, wrote 
brilliant discourses, and entertained a fashionable congre- 
gation, but who saw but little good resulting from his labors. 
He also described one of his classmates, who was not a 
brilliant scholar nor an attractive preacher, but whose 
ministerial labors were greatly blessed and his congrega- 
tion yearly increased. The former visited the latter, and 
frankly said : " When we were at college, you know that 
you were behind me in your studies ; but as a minister 
you are far ahead of me ! How do you account for this ?" 
The latter induced the former to promise to commit to 
memory one of his practical Gospel sermons. After he had 
preached the sermon a lady visited him in the vestry-room. 
He at once saw that she had been weeping, and asked : 
"What has caused you sorrow?" The lady answered: 
'* Your sermon this morning revealed to me my sinfulness 
and God's great mercy ih pard — " Before she completed 
the sentence her pastor said : " I am very, very sorry, for 
I had no intention to hurt the feelings of any one." At lo 
A.M. matins were followed by silent prayer. At ii a.m. 
the missioner made an address on " Walking with God." 
At 2.30 he set forth the importance of " Definiteness in 
Work and Experience ;" and at the public service at 7.30 
P.M. he preached an able sermon on " The Assurance of 
Forgiveness," and emphasized the truth that the doctrine 
of " Assurance " does not involve the doctrine of Final 
Perseverance. Friday, at 8 a.m., the subject of the ad- 
dress was " Polished Shafts." The retreat was closed by 



THE RETREAT AT GARRISON'S, N. Y. 443 

the celebration of the Holy Communion. Bishop H. C. 
Potter, D.D., was assisted in the service by the rector of 
the parish, the missioner, and the Rev. Dr. Fair, of Bal- 
timore, Md. 

Daring meals at the hotel Missioner Aitken requested a 
clergyman to read a chapter in the Bible or a portion of a 
devotional book ; and on one occasion each clergyman 
recited a verse or verses on the general topic suggested by 
the missioner. During the intervals between the meals 
and the services the retreatants engaged in social conversa- 
tion, or took exercise, or received information and sug- 
gestions from Missioners Aitken and Stephens in regard to 
the New York Advent Mission. 

About sixty clergymen were present at the retreat, some 
of whom came from a great distance to partake of its bene- 
fits. Missioner Aitken, who conducted it, combined great 
discretion with great earnestness ; and his desire that God 
would greatly bless His servants and make them more 
abundantly useful was highly appreciated. With deep 
pathos he often prayed : " Let the words of our mouth 
and the meditation of our hearts be always acceptable in 
thy sight, O Lord, our strength and our Redeemer. " Some 
who had not before been present at a retreat came to 
Garrison's with minds prejudiced, but returned to their 
homes fully satisfied that retreats are desirable and profit- 
able. The few clergymen who came to remain but one 
day could not correctly judge of the combined series of 
serv'ces. The clergy who at the first services were led 
into " the valley of humiliation," afterward ascended to a 
higher spiritual altitude. And as politicians who, night 
after night, attend political gatherings become enthused 
concerning politics, so clergymen become religiously en- 
thusiastic through the intense devotional services of a re- 
treat, and receive spiritual strength to enable them to labor 



444 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

with concentrated energy to increase the number of faith- 
ful soldiers of Christ's militant church. Since the retreat 
clergymen who were present have preached with increased 
fervor, and their people have been greatly blessed. 



THE PREPARATORY DEVOTIONAL SERVICE. 445 



CHAPTER III. 

THE PREPARATORY DEVOTIONAL SERVICE. 

Bishops who were Present — The Words of Welcome^-The 
Appreciated Sermon — The Proposed Mission Churchly — A 
Quiet Work Desirable — The Model Missioner — Wise Cautions 
— The Church of E?igland — " We are but a Part " — Chris- 
tian Sympathy Appreciated — The Bishop' s Philanthropy. 

On Friday morning, November 27th, the missioners and 
clergy convened in the Church of the Heavenly Rest. 
In the chancel, with the Rev. Parker Morgan, were Bishops 
Potter, Bedell, Tutt.le, and Elliott, who read different parts 
of the ante-Communion Service. In the introduction of 
his address, the Rt. Rev. H. C. Potter, D.D., said : 
** We have met, that, if we can but touch the hem of Christ's 
garment, we shall be strengthened and qualified for the 
work before us." He spake cordial words of hearty wel- 
come to the clergy from the mother Church of England for 
their presence and co-operation ; acknowledged the kindly 
presence of the bishops and clergy from other dioceses to 
aid in the work of the mission ; gratefully recognized the 
faithfulness of the clergy who had associated themselves to 
prepare for its services ; and believed that, as a reward for 
their devotion, God would greatly bless their respective 
parishes. The Bishop then set forth, first, that the work 
of the mission is entirely on the line of the Church's 
essential principles of life and work, as outlined in the ser- 
vices for Advent, which the mission is to fill up and fill 



44:6 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



out ; and showed {d>) that the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel 
for the Sunday preceding Advent Sunday are in full har- 
mony with its spirit ; and {h) that the small quantity of the 
loaves and>fishes to feed the multitude, as described in the 
Gospel, teach us our own insufficiency to do the great work 
of the mission without the Divine blessing. He next 
answered the question, How shall we take up this work, 
and how carry it on ? and alluded {a) to the difference in 
the social circumstances and condition of the people in 
England from those in America, where are no fixed classes ; 
,{b) that, while strong feelings have a place in the human 
heart, as God's work in nature is generally a quiet work, 
a quiet religious work is desirable ; {c) in the Word of God 
we have a pattern of the mode in which the work of the 
mission should be undertaken, as illustrated in St. Paul's 
mission to the Jews at Antioch, and to the Gentiles at 
Athens ; (d) that the solemn truths set forth by the Model 
Missioner, described in Acts 13 and 17, should be empha- 
sized ; and as spiritual life must begin in the conscience, that 
many may be added to the Church, the solemn, specified 
topics in the two discourses of St. Paul should be the models 
of the missioner's themes, to benefit the souls of men and for 
efficient mission work. The Bishop then cautioned the 
clergy {a) not to expect too much from a mode of Church 
work in which they have had but little experience ; and, at 
the close of the mission, should they not see the extensive 
results expected, not to be discouraged ; for it is but the 
beginning of a large and constant endeavor to lift up our 
own life out of the old customs of routine, and again and 
again to use the same methods to awaken men who are 
asleej) ; and (<^) they must not, on the other hand, expect too 
little, and the greatness of the work should not discourage 
them. The Bishop expressed his grateful appreciation of 
the interest in the mission throughout the land ; and of 



THE PREPARA TOR Y DE VO TIONAL SER VICE. 447 

the sympathy throughout the Church of Christ, (a) from 
Christians of othernames and {b) from our Mother Church 
of England, ** that greater whole of which we are but a 
part." H€ was assured of this in numerous letters he had 
received from ministers of other Christian bodies ; and 
alluded to one of them, in the upper part of this city, who 
had invited his congregation to attend the mission services ; 
and he was grateful that in all our land Christians are pray- 
ing that God's blessing may rest upon the mission. And, 
as the angel hosts above are doing the work of the King 
of kings and Lord of lords, the Bishop closed by exhort- 
ing the missioners, rectors, and helpers to remember that, 
always and everywhere, the Enthroned One is with us and 
the Leader of this little host ; and urged them to pray that 
He may make His home in our hearts, transform us for the 
work we have to do for the souls of men, and lead us on to 
victory. After the Bishop's touching and impressive ad- 
dress, of which the foregoing is but an imperfect outline, 
the Holy Communion was administered to the bishops, 
missioners, and a large number of rectors who were present. 
The Bishop's able and comprehensive address shows that 
he possesses wide sympathy and far-seeing vision. Through 
his Church militant telescope he can see beyond the circle 
of his own large diocese. He is interested in every form 
of churchly and benevolent work to rescue the perishing, 
and willingly preaches to the poor and the degraded, as 
well as to the rich and the educated. Fervently he prays 
for " all sorts and conditions of men. . . . More especially 
we pray for Thy Church universal, that it rnay be so guided 
and governed by Thy good Spirit, that all who profess and 
call themselves Christians may be led into the way of 
truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of 
peace, and in righteousness of life. . . . And this we beg 
for Jesus Christ's sake." Amen. 



M8 . THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER IV. 

THE EVE OF THE NEW YORK ADVENT MISSION. 

A Religious Mass-Meeting — The Wo77ian and Her Saviour — 
The Rev. Dr. Kramer — Reception of Missioners — The Quiet 
Hour — Excitement Discouraged — Bishop Elliotfs Pastoral. 

The services at the mass-meeting for working people 
were conducted by the minister of St. Mark's Memorial 
Chapel, and consisted of the singing of familiar hymns 
and tunes from '* Gospel Hymns No. i/' an address by 
the Rev. E. J. Johnson, based on the woman who touched 
the fringe of the Saviour's Oriental garment, and whose 
faith in Christ's power saved her. The Rev. Dr. Kramer 
also made an address. He said : 

** While listening to the sermon it occurred to my mind 
that the poor woman who was healed had a disease the chief 
feature of which marks our spiritual sickness. That feature 
was weakness — her life blood was leaving her, her vitality 
was going, and death was threatened, because she had but 
little strength, and it was departing. 

" Is not that the case with us ? We have had a spiritual 
life from God our Heavenly Father, but it has become a 
diseased thing, and now it may be a very weak existence and 
in danger of death, because of its weakness. What we 
need is that Christ the Healer may arrest this exhaustion 
of life and give us strength. 

" Look how weak a man is ! He reaches the condition 
of shame and wretchedness because of some besetting sin. 



THE EVE OF THE NEW YORK ADVENT MISSION, 449 

Suppose it to be drink — take that as an example — but, 
remember, it may be the same through other sins. He is 
wretched because of his wrong, and wretched because all 
his spiritual life is not gone. It is a holy thing in any one 
which can ever allow us to be wretched as the result of sin. 
What a good and sacred resolution one makes to overcome 
sin ! It is made to our friends ; it is made to God. We 
know the sad and painful story belonging to every case — 
we fail. 

" It is because we have trusted to our own strength, and 
that it has been weakness, not strength at all, that we have 
failed. One stronger than ourselves can help us. Let any 
brother come in just in the moment of our weakness, as we 
are about to give up and indulge in our sin ; and if we are 
frank with him, we cry out : * It's no use ; I cannot stand it ; 
I was just about to give up, and I must give up ! ' Then he 
gives a brother's hand, and says : * No, you must not yield ; 
be a man, and suffer rather than go into sin.' Why, it 
seems as if his strength passes into us and makes us strong 
to conquer at this time. Then, what we need in every time 
of temptation is to think of the Divine-human Friend 
and Brother who is ever with us. What we need is to 
listen to Him ; what we need is to let His spirit pass into 
ours that we may become strong. Our disease is weak- 
ness ; our Healer is the Christ !'* 

THE RECEPTION OF MISSIONERS AND *' THE QUIET HOUR." 

In accord with a custom of the Church of England on 
the eve of a mission, in Calvary Church, St. George's 
Church, Church of the Holy Trinity, Church of the 
Heavenly Rest, Church of St. Mary the Virgin, and in 
several other churches, on Saturday evening, at 8 o'clock, 
large congregations assembled for the reception of their 
missioners. Surprise has been expressed " that on the eve 



450 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

of such solemn services a reception should be given !" 
But it in no respect resembles " a church sociable," 
where refreshments are served ; for it is the public intro- 
duction of the missioner to the congregation. The service 
at the Church of the Heavenly Rest at the introduction of 
the Rev. F. Pigou, D.D., will illustrate the nature of the 
reception of missioners at the other churches. After the 
singing of a hymn, the Rev. Parker Morgan, in touching 
tone and words, introduced to the very large congregation 
their missioner, whose Gospel instruction they were 
expected to receive. 

"The Quiet Hour" was occupied by the missioner 
delivering a calm sermon on the Saviour's transfiguration. 
After an exposition of the design of this manifestation of 
the Saviour's Deity, which shone through His spotless 
humanity, the missioner {a) specified the work which com- 
municants should undertake to help the mission ; {b) the 
blessings they should expect through it ; [c] that there is a 
great difference between hysteria and the inspiration of the 
Holy Spirit, and that the mission is not designed to excite 
the emotions, but to deepen their spiritual life. At all 
mission services excitement is discouraged ; for the emotion 
incited by the Holy Spirit does not behave itself unseemly. 
Dr. Pigou is a fine musician, and when a hymn had been 
announced he stepped from the chancel, took his seat at 
the instrument near its front, played the tune, and led the 
singing. After another season of silent prayer he pro- 
nounced the beaediction. 

PASTORAL OF THE RT. REV. R. W. B. ELLIOTT. 

To the Congregation of Calvary Church, New York. 

Men and Brethren : Having been selected by the rector of Calvary 
Parish to act as missioner during the Advent Mission, now near at hand, 
it becomes my duty to affectionately invite your attention to the serious 



I 
i 



THE EVE OF THE NEW YORK ADVENT MISSION. 451 

nature of the occasion. The Church has set apart the season of Advent 
to remind us of the coming of our dear Lord Jesus Christ as the Saviour 
of the world, and of His second coming as its j*udge. Her services are 
filled during this period with the twofold teaching of these great and 
solemn lessons. 

While year by year warning us, in the midst of our busy lives, of the 
necessity of preparation for our great account to God ; as Advent has 
succeeded Advent, each season has seemed to bring with it a strangely 
accelerated stress of life, that has made the warning voice fall more and 
more faintly, even upon listening ears. 

This has not been unmarked by devout men, appointed of God to the 
cure of souls. The spiritual sorrow thus arising at the same time in many 
breasts caused them to carry their perplexities to God ; and He, we 
believe, sent them to take counsel one of another. For two years has 
this holy care burdened many souls. Gradually it has, under prayer and 
subsequent consultation, been indicated that during the Advent season of 
1885 there should be a prayerful and united effort to preach more directly 
and more constantly with more earnestness of prayer and heartiness of 
worship, the sublime and awful message of God. to man, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. 

Prayer has constantly ascended to God, entreating His guidance and 
blessing. Daily and "hourly the petition has gone up that because of the 
sacrifice and death of His dear Son, the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, 
might manifest Himself in power among us for the rescue of souls. 

In all humility, and conscious of manifold infirmities ; with a deep 
sense of the dreadful responsibilities surrounding this occasion ; filled 
with distrust in all human agencies, but full of hope in the glorious 
promises of help vouchsafed to those who diligently seek Divine Grace, 
I come to you. In behalf of those who shall labor during this mission, 
I ask, in the name of our most Holy Redeemer, the prayers — the earnest 
prayers, of all who shall read this letter. Do not postpone the prayer ; 
having read these words, then, in that moment, however brief the petition 
may be, ask for those who shall preach, and for those who shall hear, 
God's blessing. Continue daily to implore for them the benediction of 
the Divine Presence. Come to the meetings with prayers and praises in 
your hearts and on your lips. Remember that each morning the Holy 
Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ will be set forth for your 
spiritual refreshment. Come to this Holy Feast ; come to all the meet- 
ings in your power ; come believing that God has something special for 
every one of His children to do, and that your place is waiting and your 



452 



THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



work ready. Come, trusting that some soul needs you, and that your 
presence, your example, your loving interest, may be the agency God has 
chosen to cheer and sustain us in this work — perhaps, may He grant it, to 
set some fettered spirit free. Come, dearly beloved, because of Jesus' 
love, and then will you come in Jesus' power. 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 

Faithfully yours, 

R. W. B. Elliott. 



THE FIRST SUNDA V OF THE MISSION. ■ 453 



CHAPTER V. 

THE FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MISSION. 

The Mission in Calvary Church — The Rt. Rev. Missioners—' 
Bishop Elliot f s Solemn Sermon — Afternooji Services for Men 
only — Bishop Tuitle Preached in the Evening. 

Rectors for several months had made diligent use of 
human means in preparing for the mission, and had offered 
earnest prayer that the Holy Ghost would prepare the 
hearts of the people to receive the Gospel of Gods grace, 
and to apply its great benefits, and also to qualify the 
missioners to promote His glory. On the first Sunday in 
Advent, they entered the respective churches in which the 
mission was to be commenced with mingling erfiotions of 
humble dependence on Almighty God, a measure of holy 
anxiety, and trustful expectation. The appropriate prayers 
for the day were read with unusually solemn emphasis. 
The lessons, Epistle, and Gospel gave the key-note of the 
sermons. The chants and hymns inspired. The sermons 
through the intellect moved the heart. And in receiving 
the Holy Communion, many felt, as never before, the Lord 
indeed is in his Holy Temple. 

THE services IN CALVARY CHURCH. 

In the chancel, with the rector, the Rev. Dr. Satterlee, 
were one of his assistants and the Rt. Rev. Dr. Sullivan, 
Bishop of Algoma, Canada, also Bishop Tuttle, of Utah, 
and Bishop Elliott, of Texas, the two missioners. The 



454 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

sermon was preached by Bishop Elliott, based on the text : 
" This Gospel shall be preached in all the world as a 
witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come." 
(Matt. 24:41.) The introduction set forth that there was 
never an Advent season in which the Gospel had been as 
widely preached as at the present time ; very soon it will 
have been proclaimed in all the world. Then the end of 
the present order of things, at the Epiphany of the Saviour, 
will consummate the hope of His waiting servants, and also 
answer the agnostic scoffer's question : " Where is the 
promise of His coming ?" Alluding to the moral condition 
of the city of New York, the preacher asked : " Is not the 
Advent Mission needed ?" Not many years ago a number 
who had been killed during a riot in this city were carried 
from Calvary Church for burial. 

Throughout our country the execrative and negative cry 
of the lawless, *' No God !" is now ascending with increas- 
ing volume of defiant tone ; and a similar irruption on a 
larger scale has only been kept back by the testimony of the 
Saviour's witnesses. The body of the sermon was specially 
addressed to the congregation before him, whom he placed 
on trial, held God's law before them, recited command- 
ment after commandment, and at the close of each, in 
solemn tone, inquired : " Have you kept it? If not, you 
have not the evidence that Christ is yours." He set forth 
that those who came to church with the head seething 
with the business of the world are not sanctifying a 
a seventh portion of their time to the service of God ; and 
asked those who had been baptized : " Do you come to 
the Holy Table, and obey the Lord's command — Do this 
in remembrance of me ?" If you have kept God's com- 
mandments, you have the assurance that Christ is yours. 

The Bishop, in closing, referred to the Saviour giving the 
young man, who told Him he had kept all the command- 



THE FIRST SUNDA Y OF THE MISSION. 455 

ments, something to do for the welfare of his fellow-men ; 
and urged the Christians who were present to witness for 
Christ by inviting their unsaved friends and others to 
come to the mission, that they may be moved to accept 
Him as their Saviour, keep His commandments, and when 
the end to which the text refers shall come, be welcomed 
into His everlasting kingdom. 

In the afternoon a service for the Sunday-school children 
was held, and another service for men only. In the even- 
ing the sermon was preached by Bishop Tuttle. Large 
congregations attended the different services, and the Rev. 
Dr. Satterlee, who had labored so zealously preparing for 
the Advent Mission, was much encouraged. The rector 
had placed in the vestibule of the church an abundant 
supply of gospel appeals and leaflets ; also a selection of the 
neat little tracts published by the Willard Tract Society on 
" How to Enter into Rest;" " How to Use Faith ;" " Defi- 
niteness ;" " Is God in Everything ?" " The Government 
shall be upon His Shoulders ;" " The Chariots of God,' ' etc. 
The following extract is from the one entitled " Take" : 
"You need not be always analyzing your life, and ferreting 
within. Having put yourself into God's hands, leave your- 
self there ; and, as it rises, bring all to Him— your ambition, 
your desires, your ideas, your hopes, your fears. The}'- do 
not need to be crushed out of you, but to be brought to 
Christ. . . . Just live in the sunshine and pleasure of His 
presence. You know how searching the bright sun-rays 
are ; so will the Sun of Righteousness and love search in 
your heart, and under His beams it will grow tender--* a 
heart of flesh, and not of stone ;' quick to see, quick to 
obey. When we walk in this world's sunlight, we need to 
look at the way and at our feet to see that they go right 
and keep from stumbling ; but with the Sun of Righteous- 
ness we just need to look at Him ; and so looking, He will 



456 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

take care that we neither stumble nor fall. . . . You do 
not know what a life is before you. Do not be afraid if 
you get a sudden glimpse at your own utter vileness and 
sinfulness. Carry it to the Lord Jesus ; He knows it better 
than you do ; and leave it with Him, just as you leave your 
unbelief with Him ; and looking only^ only to Him, you 
will receive your life moment by moment from Him, and 
live it moment bv moment with Him. He who is Love 
will lead you gently on over any rough stony places that 
may be before you— gently, because close to Him—* I in 
you, and ye in Me ;' and the Holy Spirit will show you 
many things, ' as you are able to bear them ;' and surely, 
yielded up and obedientl)'' following, His ' fruits— love, 
joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 
meekness, temperance,' a//// appear in us, to glorify God, 
and bear testimony for Jesus." 



THANKSGIVING SERVICE IN CALVARY CHURCH. 457 



CHAPTER VI. 

THE THANKSGIVING SERVICE IN CALVARY CHURCH. 

Bishop Tut tie' s Address — Thank God a?id Take Courage — 
The Address of Bishop Elliott — The Triune Benedictio7i — Dr. 
Satterlee^s Address — Manifest Results of the Mission. 

On the various services at this widely influential church 
the Divine blessing rested. They began each day with the 
celebration of the Holy Communion, and at 9 a.m. morn- 
ing prayer followed. At the 11 o'clock meeting, after a 
short service, a sermon was preached, designed to lead the 
people higher on the heavenly ladder of the means of 
grace ; and the higher they ascended, the brighter beamed 
their hope of everlasting glory. At the last three services 
Bishop Tuttle preached the sermons. Daily at 3 p.m. 
Bishop Elliott addressed attentive congregations on special 
subjects relating to domestic life and the mutual duties of 
parents and children, on business life and the mutual duties 
of employers and employes, and also on the privileges and 
duties of church communicants. Each evening, at 8 
o'clock, Bishop Tuttle preached an instructive, earnest, 
and convincing sermon. 

The Thanksgiving Service for blessings vouchsafed was 
held Monday, the 7th instant, at 8 p.m. With the rector 
in the chancel were the assistant minister and the Rt. Rev. 
missioners. After Thanksgiving prayer had been offered 
and appropriate praise had ascended from the large con- 



458 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

gregation, led by the mission choir that filled the gallery, 
the first address was made by Bishop Tuttle ; its theme was 

** THANK GOD AND TAKE COURAGE." 

In a tone of mingled reverence and gratitude the earnest 
Bishop stated that : Many had cherished fears that the mis- 
sion would be an unwise departure from the ordinary 
methods of Church work, that a flexible use of the Liturgy 
at evangelistic services may lead to a serious disregard of 
rubrics ; and that the mission services may enkindle unholy 
excitement, to be followed by reaction. But the most 
conservative Churchmen who had witnessed its progress 
and the accompaniments of the Advent Mission's flexible 
services, and had very carefully watched its modes of 
Gospel work, had dismissed their fears ; and with himself 
they are now devoutly thankful and fervently courageous 
to seek hereafter through mission modes the growth in 
grace of Christians and the conversion of the ungodly ; 
and thus additionally promote the, glory of God, who gave 
His only begotten Son to die as the proof of His hatred of 
sin, and of His love for the sinner, and His unwillingness 
that any should perish. After an appropriate hymn, the 
next address was made by Bishop Elliott, based on 

THE THREEFOLD BENEDICTION. 

He considered : (a) The love of God the Father ; {b) the 
grace of God the Son ; (c) the fellowship of God the 
Holy Ghost. His remarks on each division of this bene- 
diction were uttered in a tone of voice indicative of the 
gratitude in his own soul for their triune blessing on the 
now closing mission. The Bishop solemnly said : " Soon 
we will meet each other at the judgment-seat of Christ to 
hear words of benediction or of condemnation; and only 
those who now have in their hearts the grace of the Lord 



THANKSGIVING SERVICE IN CALVARY CHURCH. 459 

Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of 
the Holy Ghost, will then hear the Saviour's benediction, 
* Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom 
prepared for you from the foundation of the world.' " 

THE REV. DR. SATTERLEe's ADDRESS 

was the last, but not the least, in pathos and in rever- 
ence. He said that, during the mission, many had drawn 
very near to God, and none can tell what God had 
done in blessing the parish. Now they had met to render 
unto Him their glad thanksgiving. They had commenced 
the mission in faith and humble dependence, and they now 
closed it with psalms of thanksgiving. " The day ap- 
proaches," he said, " when we will begin the eternal thanks- 
giving. The world's pleasures begin with joy, but end in 
sorrow. Life in Christ begins with penitential sorrow, but 
continues with everlasting gladness. The mission has been 
a very precious season to many of us ; and if others desire 
to come to God through Jesus Christ, you must approach 
Him in sincerity and truth. Those who had taken the step 
of repentance were taught what true repentance includes. 
Such now know what the joy of thanksgiving means." 

HOW TO AVOID A RELIGIOUS REACTION. 

{a) " Our feelings," said the speaker, " must pass into 
holy action for greater future usefulness ; otherwise, the 
much-dreaded reaction surely comes, {b) We must inquire 
from our hearts, * Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do ? ' " 
Turning to face the Bishop missioners, Dr. Satterlee said : 
" Rt. Rev. Fathers in God, you have come thousands of 
miles as messengers sent to us by God, through Him to 
bless us. At the last great day, may we stand side by side 
before the great white throne, as we are here now assembled 
in the house of God, and reign with Him as kings and 



460 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

priests forever and ever." Choir and congregation heartily 
sang the Gloria in Excelsis. The closing thanksgiving 
prayer was offered b}'- Bishop Tuttle ; and after he had 
pronounced the benediction of peace the Nunc Dimittis 
was softly sung, the people kneeling. The Holy Com- 
munion was celebrated Tuesday at lo a.m., and the mis- 
sion in Calvary Church was ended. 

All of the services were well attended, and the Bishop 
missioners made solemn and deep impressions by their 
able and earnest sermons and addresses. Dr. Satterlee 
labored so long and earnestly as President of the Com- 
mittee of Arrangements, that many rejoice with him in view 
of the blessings his own large parish -has already received. 

The author, who could not be present at all the services, 
requested Dr. Satterlee to have prepared for him an answer 
to the question : 

"what results were manifest during the mission?' 

** Many of the good results of the mission will not be 
revealed until the Day of Final Harvest ; for until then 
they will widen in their circle. The results apparent were : 
{a) At each of the services the attendance was large, and 
devoutly attentive. In addition to the deeply religious 
and working members of the parish, members of families, 
who had before but occasionally attended services at 
Calvary Church, became interested ; and whole families, 
for the first time, united in prayer and praise to God at 
the mission services, {h) The number of strangers who 
were regular worshippers during the mission services were 
much larger than the rector and others expected, {c) The 
desire of regular members of the parish to engage here- 
after in some department of work for Christ and His Church 
was most gratifying to the rector and his devoted Church- 
workers, {d) The attendance at the celebrations of the 



THANKSGIVING SERVICE IN CALVARY CHURCH. 461 

Holy Communion increased from day to day, and the 
great privilege of the faithful observance of this Blessed 
Sacrament never before was more happily appreciated by 
the members of Calvary Church, {e) The pleasant service 
of intercessory prayer for three quarters of an hour each 
evening before the public mission service was most profit- 
able, and warrants the expectation of most hopeful results. 
(/) The mission wrought a unity and harmony and a 
Christian fellowship among members of the parish which 
only these strictly devotional and unselfish services could 
accomplish, [g) Many incidents daily come to the knowl- 
edge of the rector and missioners deeply affecting in char- 
acter." 

EXTRACTS FROM BISHOP TUTTLE's LETTER. 

Bishop Tuttle, in his letter to the New York Churchman^ 
said : 

" If we may venture to pass judgment, we would name 
the following as the good results of our mission : 

" I. The preparatory work was big with blessing. Under 
the wise and zealous rector all Calvary congregation was 
aroused. Some practised for the singing, some attended 
to the printing, a large amount of which was judiciously 
done. Some prepared themselves to be courteous and 
intelfigent ushers. Some provided for the things specially 
needed for the children's service. A great many started 
out in willing zeal, and visited every house in a large district 
around, telling of the mission and inviting to it. All were 
bidden and urged to earnest prayer in public and in private 
for the special presence and blessing of the Holy Spirit 
upon the mission. All this, of itself, was a precious arousal 
of the people to unselfish and beneficent activit}''. 

"2. The people of the congregation have come to know 
each other better, and have grown nearer in mutual 



462 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

sympathy and helpfulness. The frequent services and the 
holy atmosphere of fervent prayer and religious earnest- 
ness so warmed and cheered those who came, that coldness 
melted away, and a delightful appreciation grew of our 
oneness in Christ Jesus, in the things of spiritual faith and 
hope that touch the deepest and tenderest interests of 
human souls. 

"3. Many Christians have roused themselves to ask, each 
one of his or her own soul, * Is it well with thee ? ' and to 
resolve, with God's help, to do better duty, and to avail 
themselves more gratefully and earnestly of their privileges. 
Nor shall the resolve settle into the stagnant lees of selfish- 
ness. One and another are asking in heart, * Lord, what 
wilt Thou have me to do ? ' and they will be asking their 
pastor with their voice, ' What can we take in hand to 
help you and to help our fellows ? ' 

*' 4. Some have been moved out of their indifference and 
impenitence, and are crying aloud, * Sirs, what must we 
do to be saved ?' It must be candidly confessed, however, 
that fewer of this class presented themselves than we had 
hoped to see. Yet, in answer to the invitations of the 
visitors and the notices on the handbills distributed, 
numbers of strangers were in constant attendance. 

" My brother of Western Texas and myself desire to put 
on record that the mission was singularly precious and 
profitable and blessed to us and our own souls. We humbly 
think God the Holy Spirit led and helped the work. We 
have heartily prayed Him, and do heartily pray Him now, 
to bless the work and its results in human hearts and 
souls and lives.* 



i 



THE MISSION IN CAL VAR Y CHAPEL. 463 



CHAPTER VII. 

THE MISSION IN CALVARY CHAPEL. 

The Missioners — The Various Services — The American Govern- 
ment — The Almighty Dollar Worshipped — The Deaii s Devoted 
Sister — Her Useful Labors — Bishop Walker — The Rev. F, 
W, Tompkins. 

At Calvary Chapel the very Rev. H. M. Hart, Dean of 
St. John's Cathedral, Denver, Colorado, and the Rev^. H. 
Bedinger, Rector of St. Luke's Church, Matteawan, N. Y., 
were the missioners. In the afternoon services were held 
for " men only ;" for " women only ;" for " boys only ;" 
for " girls only ;" and " children's praise service." Some 
of the topics of the addresses were : ** Wash and be 
Clean ;" " The Man that Sowed Corn in the Road ;" 
"The Reply of Samuel;" "Renounce, Believe, Obey;" 
" Commandments i to ii." "Prayer." The subjects of 
the mission sermons were : " Come, for all Things are 
Ready ;" " Sin : Adam, Where art Thou ?" " Sin : For- 
giveness, the Brazen Serpent;" "Repentance: Balaam, 
Achan, David, Judas." " Sin : Its Conquest, Jehovah, 
Nissi, Saul, and Amalek." " Sin : Its Perfect Cleansing, 
the Leper, Christ Healing the Paralytic." " Be of Good 
Cheer." Blessings of the mission : " Lord, what wilt 
Thou have me to do ?" 

As a substitute for any extracts from the mission sermons 
of the Very Rev. Dean Hart, Missioner, preached in Cal- 
vary Chapel, a few extracts showing an Englishman's can- 



464 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

did conclusions respecting the American nation may in- 
terest the reader. The Dean said : 

" This great people deliberately placed itself in the rank 
of a Christian nation. The founders of the country were 
men of deep and real godliness. Washington's pen is still 
an object of interest in the Church at Alexandria, Virginia. 
In that most thrilling of State papers, * the Declaration of 
Independence,' the Divine Protection is most solemnly 
invoked. The expressions were not the mere formal rec- 
ognition of a Superior Power, but they were the genuine 
and heartfelt utterances of religious men. It was their 
plain intention that the * fear of the Lord ' should be the 
corner-stone of the nation over whose birth they were pre- 
siding — of the fabric whose constitution they were erecting. 
Their prayers were heard — ' their children have seen their 
glory' — for their spirit is alive in every ramification of the 
power which has issued from that Constitution, which, like 
iron bands, forges into solid compact these United States. 
In all directions the religious spirit expresses itself ; in 
every Congress, in every detail of execution, legislation, 
and even of judicial business there is a recognition that 
God is Supreme, and that ruling without Him cannot be 
here in America. Governors, legislators, judges, jurors, 
witnesses — all swear by Him that liveth forever and ever, 
that their words and acts shall be ruled by His righteous- 
ness. . . . Your privileges are. great indeed ! Have you 
lived up to them ? Ye cannot be consigned to heaven by 
acts of ' Congress ' or the will of the President, or even 
by the * national ' idea. Every man must give an account 
of himself to God. Every man must give his own heart 
unto the Lord, and live * walking with God in this life,' 
if he means to walk with God hereafter. 

" Nay ! does not extreme privilege heighten responsibil- 
ity ? Where is there a nation on earth whose executive chief 



THE MISSION IN CALVARY CHAPEL. 465 

has issued a proclamation for the public acknowledgment to 
Almighty God for the blessings of the year ? Where? there 
is not one on earth ! Now, brethren, I maintain that this 
public avowal entails an enormous personal responsibility. 
A very serious complaint will the great adversary be able to 
make against us — that whereas over other peoples a cloud 
of non-remembrance has settled down, to us there comes 
the trumpet call to a Holy Convocation — our very Secular 
Government assumes the garb of a Lord's prophet and 
* puts u^ in remembrance.' Is the waif and the stray who 
never knew his father and whose mother would have dis- 
carded him if she could — is he to stand under the same con- 
dition of judgment as the boy of Christian parents, who 
has been brought up in ' the nurture and admonition of 
the Lord * ? What ! and shall we admit no greater re- 
sponsibility than the nations who know not God ? 

" And now let me ask in all honesty, Have we lived up 
to our responsibilities ? 

** The dollar, the silver dollar, which is the signet on the 
right hand of this nation, has in raised letters, boldly upon 
its face, ' In God we Trust.' . . . Do we not rather trust 
in the dollar than in the God who literally gives it ? . . . 
Brethren, the great mass of men — ay, even of you — do not 
trust in God, but at this moment are collecting wealth with 
feverish eargerness ; and as you do it you breathlessly hope 
you are nearer and nearer the point when you can con- 
sider you are out of harm's way, and can say to your soul : 
' Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years ; now 
take thine ease.' . . . 

" The law of labor is the law of Godly life — * In the sweat 
of thy brow shalt thou eat bread ' — and the heft, the toil, 
the energy expended in the securing of daily bread, is an 
essential ingredient to happy healthful life. Without work 
no life is satisfactory to its liver, and yet with what purpose 



466 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

is it that men try to accumulate fortunes ? Is it not that 
their children may commence life at the place where they 
left off ?— only without the self-education they have had in 
the securing of the fortune. Now let the experience of 
history speak to you. I am told that there are not four 
families in this vast country whose second generation has 
not squandered harmfully the wealth the father bequeathed. 
This is an old story ; it is like saying, ' All men are mortal.' 
Everybody admits the fact, but nobody is influenced by 
it. ... 

" I suppose it will be readily granted that the work- 
power, the energy, the mental capability which make a 
man a successful minister, would if applied in other chan- 
nels make him a successful banker or a successful merchant. 
Well now, here is a very large class of men who cannot 
* lay up ' a fortune for their families, ... I have never 
known a clergyman's family suffer from the fact that their 
father's profession precluded him leaving them a decent 
competency at his death. On the other hand, it has invari- 
ably been my observation that clergymen's sons and 
daughters have proved better men and women, more use- 
ful in their day and generation, more beneficial to their 
neighborhood, more respected and more beloved than the 
sons and daughters of other people. And this wide asser- 
tion might have been anticipated by anybody choosing to 
consider how tliey were brought up. A small salary 
demanded and encouraged a care for money. The clergy- 
man, of a certainty, knew all the distress in his parish. 
Let a stroke of good fortune come to any of you — let some 
signal mercy come to you — you never come to me to tell of 
your joy, and to offer a share of * the Godsend ' to His 
service who gave it you ; but let trouble come, and if you 
don't come to me, or if I neglect to come to you, curious 
comments are made. 



THE MISSION IN CAL VAR V CHAPEL. 467 

** The clergyman has therefore to give constantly out ot 
his little. This loosens the sympathies of his children, 
makes them think nothing of * comforts,' nothing of 
luxuries, nothing of the ' pride' of wealth, and nothing of 
themselves ; and that training makes clergymen's children 
what they are ; and when the husband and father dies, he 
has left to his children a legacy priceless above rubies — 
the legacy of splendid characters. 

'* I remember one of my sisters used to go every Satur- 
day, with a little basket of cold provisions on her arm— she 
walked five miles— to a wood in my father's parish where 
several hundred men were making a vast reservoir. She 
slept in a wooden hut, preached and taught all Sunday, 
and walked back Monday morning. She did that without 
interruption for five years, and no one thought it remark- 
able, and no one would have been more surprised than her- 
self if it had been called hardship. And what think you 
was the effect on that encampment of rough laborers ? It 
became in five years a Christian community, and the work 
she did then was the beginning of a movement which has 
brought the Gospel, with its attendants of night-schools, 
savings-banks. Church guilds, temperance clubs, etc., to 
the seventy thousand navvies who are scattered on railways 
and docks and public works all over England. And what 
enabled her to do it ? The life of economy we all of us 
were compelled to lead — economy of money, of food, of 
clothes, and, above all, of time. And now I look back and 
I ask myself had I rather possess — even in the small degree 
I do possess them — these qualities than three or four thou- 
sand dollars from my father's estate. ... I am not for- 
getful of St. Paul's common-sense words, ' He that pro- 
videth not for his own is worse than an infidel,' because 
he practically shows that to him the future is not real, and 



468 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

that is what is the matter with an infidel. But * providing 
for his own ' is not laying up a fortune, but bestowing on 
his own that whereby they may get a living ; and if you 
want to make your children happy, do not give them 
money, but give them that whereby they can get money to 
live upon ; for the zest of life, the education of trust, of 
faith, of hope is not to be attained in the spending, but 
in the earning of money !" 

The practical manner in which the Dean writes illustrates 
his power as a fluent extempore speaker. His labors at 
Calvary Chapel, as in other places, were appreciated. The 
congregation was small at the commencement of the mis- 
sion, but increased until the place was filled. 

For several years the Rev. W. D. Walker was the suc- 
cessful and much-beloved minister of Calvary Chapel. But 
in obedience to the voice of the General Convention and 
his conviction respecting his duty, he resigned his pastoral 
work in New York City, to become the Missionary Bish- 
op of the North Dakota Mission. He is now the chief 
pastor in that portion of Dakota Territory lying north 
of the 46th parallel, embracing seventy-five thousand 
square miles of territory, and a population of about one 
hundred and fifty thousand. His successor as minister of 
Calvary Chapel is the Rev. F. W. Tompkins, Jr., who 
has labored with great faithfulness, and whose ministra- 
tions have been greatly blessed. He is deeply interested 
in Parochial Missions, which are not designed to supersede 
ordinary ministrations, nor to be a substitute for our es- 
tablished parish system, but an essential supplementary 
agency to make it more efficient in bringing the unsaved 
into Christ's sheepfold. Our stately Sunday services are 
for trained worshippers, but are inappropriate for those 
who cannot sincerely sing the Venite, the Te Deum, and 



THE MISSION IN CALVARY CHAPEL. 469 

the Gloria. But through God's blessing on Parochial Mis- 
sions, many who blasphemed God's holy name can now 
truly worship the Holy Trinity in unity. 

To implore the Divine blessing on the mission in Calvary 
Chapel, half an hour before the commencement of the mis- 
sion service a prayer-meeting was held. The answers to 
special petitions cheered the Rector, the assistant ministers, 
and the Missioners. After the mission ended devout 
thanksgiving ascended to God, who is always more ready 
to hear than we are to pray. 



470 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

THE MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN. 

The Rector and the Missioners — The Rich Man and Lazarus — 
The Chancel not Bright — Father Betts's Sermon — The End of 
All Things — The After-Meeting — Description of the Mission- 
ers— -Some Results of the Mission, 

The Church of St. Mary the Virgin, being higher in the 
ecclesiastical scale than any of the other churches spoken 
of, the rector, assistant clergy, and two missioners have a 
paternal prefix tQ their names. The rector is *' Father " 
Brown. The missioners are Father Betts, of St. Louis, and 
Father Larabee, of Chicago. The fathers, however, are 
not old men, but comparatively young men, full of zeal, 
devotion, and vigor. At missions in churches termed 
" Ritualistic," as the evening service is more especially for 
preaching the Gospel, the candles on the altar, the large 
one each side on the chancel step, and the seven pendent 
lamps suspended to the beam, above which is a large cross, 
were not 'lighted ; and in comparison with the body of 
the church the chancel was not bright. 

the PARTICULAR AND THE GENERAL JUDGMENT. 

The several services on Sunday kept all unusually active, 
and the congregations were unusually large. At the morn- 
ing service Father Betts preached concerning *' the begin- 
ning of all things." Just before the service commenced in 
the evening Father Larabee came to the chancel rail to 



CHURCH OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN. 471 

explain what some one had requested — viz., the difference 
between the particular and the general judgment. In a 
distinct voice he stated that the particular judgment takes 
place at death, and the general judgment at Christ's return 
to summon all before Him. The first is brought to view in 
the description of Lazarus, who was carried by angels to a 
place of bliss, and the rich man to a place of misery. This 
cannot refer to the last judgment ; for the rich man had five 
brethren alive upon the earth. The anticipation of each 
was a foretaste of what will be consummated when Christ 
will announce award and penalty at the end of all things. 
He then left the chancel. Father Betts then entered, and 
(a) offered aprayer for himself ; {f) said the "Veni Creator/' 
in unison with the people ; [c] said a few collects and an- 
nounced another hymn, which, with the congregation, he 
fervently sang. 

THE DESTINY OF ALL THINGS TEMPORAL. 

At the close of the hymn Father Betts entered the pul- 
pit, and announced as his text : " The end of these things 
is death" (Romans, sixth chapter, twenty-first verse). He 
said that at the beginning of the Church year he had 
preached respecting the beginning of all things, which, by 
the law of association, suggested the end of all things. 
As he began to preach, his striking appearance and earnest 
manner caused persons not familiar with " ritualistic ser- 
vices " to forget that his surplice was short, his cassock 
long, and the costly and beautiful altar, which, with all 
other temporal things, must sooner or later come to an end. 
The sermon vividly depicted how whatever is beautiful as 
soon as it begins to live begins to die. The variegated 
colors of flowers fade and their perfume departs ; and 
death breathes decay on all things earthly. He then 
showed that death becomes more revolting the higher we 



472 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

ascend in the scale of creation, and described death's 
gradual work on man — gradually and silently dimming 
the brightest eye, wiping the bloom from the cheek, weak- 
ening the muscles until the strongest limbs tremble, pros- 
trating the body on a bed of sickness, weakening the nerves 
so that the slightest sound gives pain, and paralyzing the 
tongue so that it cannot speak in a whisper ; till at length 
the physician says : " It will be useless for me to come 
again." Next he described the awful loneliness of a per- 
son dying who is without Christ and without hope, until 
the emotion he had stirred in his hearers found relief in 
silent, trickling tears. As if the preacher could no longer 
control his own stirred feelings, he suddenly paused, and 
announced the hymn commencing, 

"I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord !" 

To a familiar tune in the " Sankey Hymnal," clergy and 
congregation fervently sang each verse, and between each, 
with increasing and imploring tone, the chorus : 

" I need Thee, oh ! 1 need Thee, 
Every hour I need Thee !" 

The preacher then described the happiness of the believer's 
soul that, at the moment of death, passes into the embrace 
of Jesus ; and, in contrast, the awful condition of a soul 
dead in trespasses. 

The conclusion of the sermon was intensely practical and 
fearless. " I see," said the preacher, " handsome men and 
women who spend hours before their mirrors, shamefully 
painting their faces ; you must die, and go where are no 
looking-glasses, and the eyes that gazed at forbidden objects 
be destroyed and worms crawl through their sockets. To 
die is to bid * good-by * to whatever is earthly, and be 
launched into eternity ! Is it not wise to think of our 
departure ?" How long have I to live ? is a question that 



CHURCH OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN. 473 

has come down to us from all ages, which God does not 
answer. Instead of asking, Shall I die this year, this 
month, this day or this night ? it is more important to ask. 
What kind of death shall I die ? Shall I die after a linger- 
ing illness, or, suddenly, on the railway, or upon the 
ocean ? Shall I die a culprit on the scaffold or among 
strangers, or at home with beloved ones ? Shall I die in 
the presence of God's minister, who pointed me to the 
Saviour and administered to me His Holy Sacraments ? 
After the preacher closed his solemn and impressive ser- 
mon, he announced the hymn, 

" There is a fountain filled with blood ;" 

and between each verse was sung the chorus : 

" I do believe, I will believe, 
That Jesus died for me," etc. 

The missioner, having removed his surplice, attired in 
his cassock, gave " the instruction " while walking up and 
down the central aisle, urging the unsaved to at once es- 
cape from eternal hopelessness through true repentance 
and faith in Christ the only Saviour. He closed his instruc- 
tion by stating that repentance consists of [a) contrition ; 
{b) restitution ; {c) confession, and gave illustrative inci- 
dents in proof of his statements. 

DESCRIPTION OF THE MISSIONERS. 

The Rev. Fathers Betts and Larabee, missioners at the 
Church of St. Mary the Virgin, are young men who give 
promise of great usefulness as missioners. Father Lara- 
bee, of Chicago, has a clear intellect and a good voice, 
and, like Father Brown, the rector, a beaming face and 
suavity of manner. Father Betts, from St. Louis, has a 
tall and dignified body, a well-shaped head, a very marked 
profile, and possesses oratorical power for an efficient mis- 



474 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



sioner. His voice is rich and deep and musical ; his gestures 
few and graceful ; and his general manner solemn and very 
reverential. He possesses a good degree of logical, poet- 
ical, descriptive, and sympathetic power. His arguments 
are convincing, his illustrations pictorial, and his exhorta- 
tions move the heart. With great plainness of speech he 
depicts the shortcomings of Christians, and implores them 
to ascend higher and still higher up the ladder of the 
means of grace to the heavenly altitudes, and, through a 
consecrated life, live on earth the life of heaven. With 
fervent faithfulness he warns the impenitent of their guilt 
and danger ; beseeches them at once to break away from 
their sins and accept Christ as their Almighty Saviour ; by 
baptism have the outward sign of the inward grace ; in the 
rite of confirmation publicly confess Him ; and at the Holy 
Communion receive soul nutriment and the assurance of 
pardon and heirship of His kingdom. 

THE GENERAL INTEREST MANIFEST. 

At each of the services for women only, at the Church 
of St. Mary the Virgin, the church was full every time. 
At the services for men only the preacher's denunciations 
of bad habits, and his appeal for purity, temperance, and 
the protection of women, etc., were most attentively 
listened to by the men of all ages who were present. At 
the services for children only, the poor and rich assembled, 
and children not of the parish were brought by guardians 
to hear the addresses. The four celebrations daily of the 
Holy Communion were well attended. Many men were 
present ; some from the suburbs and country. At the 
evening prayer, at 4 o'clock, there was a large attendance, 
and the sermons on the parables were eagerly listened to. 
At the mission services — 8 o'clock every night — the church 
was full from the first night. Many of the poor were pres- 



CHURCH OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN. 475 

ent. After the public instructions were many private in- 
terviews with the missioners. The description of the Eng- 
lish missioners is in " The Church Revived," Part V., 
Chapter XXXII. 



I 



476 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER IX. 

MISSION AT ST. GEORGe's CHURCH, STUYVESANT SQUARE. 

The Vision of the Holy Jehovah — The Prophet Isaiah Pros- 
trated — The Voice of Mercy — Sermon for Men Only — The 
Standard of Righteousness — The Mission to Children — Little 
Foxes Spoil the Vines. 

At 8 o'clock a.m. the Holy Communion was cele- 
brated. At the II o'clock service the Rector read the 
morning prayer ; the Rev. W. Hay Aitken preached the 
sermon. His text was Isaiah 6 : 3-5. In his descriptive 
introduction he vividly depicted the vision of the Holy 
Jehovah, Lord of the celestial hosts ; how the prophet was 
overpowered more by His spotless holiness than by His 
majestic greatness ; that his own sinfulness in comparison 
therewith caused him to cry, in wailing tone: "Woe is 
me, for I am a man of unclean lips ;" and that he recovered 
from the shock through the seraph who touched his lips, 
and the voice of the Holy One : "I have forgiven thy 
iniquity!" The preacher then showed {a) that man, 
who is not awed by greatness, nor repelled by surpassing 
wisdom, nor terrified by the visible evidences of omnip- 
otent power which incite his admiration, is afraid of the 
presence of the thrice Holy God, through a consciousness 
of his own sinfulness ; {h) that a regeneration, recreation, 
or birth from above is essential to enable man to bear His 
presence ; for, except a man be born again, he cannot even 



MISSION AT ST. GEORGE'S. 477 



see the kingdom of heaven, and only the pure in heart 
shall see God, The preacher closed the solemn sermon 
by describing the plenteous redemption in Christ, the only 
Saviour, to recover mankind from the ruin caused by sin, 
and deliverance from sin's dominion, and the power of the 
Holy Ghost to sanctify them, body and spirit, and make 
them meet to dwell in God's presence forever and ever. 

MISSION SERVICES FOR MEN ONLY, 

One of Missioner Aitken's sermons graphically depicted 
God's law of righteousness, as displayed in the Decalogue, 
embracing 'the negative and positive duties of man to him- 
self, and the negative and positiv^e duties of man to 
society. With solemn emphasis, he inquires : " Have we 
fulfilled the different precepts ? If you never did a 
neighbor any harm, have you ever done a neighbor any 
good ? Had the man whom the priest and Levite passed 
by been dead, who would have been his murderers?" 
Would not they have been his half and negative murderers, 
and the thieves who wounded him the other and positive 
half? "Young man, have you never done any harm by 
ribald remarks and unholy suggestions ?" Having shown 
that no sinner goes to perdition alone, the preacher alluded 
to a man who, at a mission, told him that, when a youth, 
through the evil suggestion of a young man, he committed 
a sin which had contrived to hold him in its relentless 
grasp, and made him both a mental and physical wreck. 
He also recited the case of a man who came to him in great 
distress, and to the question, '* What can I do for you, 
sir?" the man replied : " Nothing ! Nothing !" To the 
statement, " But Christ can save you," he answered : 
" Yes, I believe that ! But how can I face at His judgment 
throne those whom I betrayed and who died impenitent ?" 
The solemn discourse was closed by the declaration that 



478 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

the betrayers of all who are called " unfortunates " must 
face them at the judgment-seat of Christ, and a touching 
appeal to all present to accept the Saviour's offered pardon 
for all their sins past, and grace to henceforth live a life of 
purity. Mr. Aitken's second discourse to men only w^as 
on Temperance or Continence ; and the third on the Final 
Judgment. In England similar services for men only are 
named " A Crusade." 

The addresses to men only were of an unusually prac- 
tical and impressive character, and depicted the impor- 
tance of purity of thought, word, and action. With great 
plainness of speech, combined with great delicacy, the mis- 
sioner urged them to avoid whatever may act as a spark 
to enkindle unholy desires and inflame carnal passions ; 
and that sins which one would shudder to have named 
should not be committed ; for, if so repulsive even to men- 
tion, how heinous to the Holy Jehovah, whose omniscience 
searches all hearts, discerns all desires, and to whom evil 
intentions are sinful ! The men were exhorted to remem- 
ber that, at all times and in all places, during the bright- 
ness of the day and the darkness of the night, ** Thou, 
God, seest me !" and earnestly implored to prove them- 
selves honorable men by always acting as woman's pro- 
tectors and defenders ; for pure love never works evil to a 
neighbor, or even an enemy. 

At the evening service Mr. Sankey was present, and sang 
two hymns. The congregation was very large : the body 
of the church and the galleries were filled ; also the chancel 
steps on each side of the pulpit, and a number had to stand 
at the entrance to the aisles. 

THE MISSION TO CHILDREN IN ST. GEORGe's CHURCH. 

The Rev. James Stephens, one of the staff of the Church- 
of-England Parochial Mission Society, possesses special 



MISSION AT ST. GEORGE'S. 479 

aptitude for moving Christians to live the higher life, and 
also to interest and greatly benefit young people and Sun- 
day-school children. His facial expression is pleasing ; 
his voice not strong, but musical, its general tone conversa- 
tional, and, when addressing young children, his style is 
colloquial. His childlike simplicity of expression, his 
skill in practical application, and his warm, tender sym- 
pathy rendered his sermons powerfully effective. 

In one of his sermons, preached to a large congregation 
of children, based on the text, " Take us the foxes, the lit- 
tle foxes, that spoil the vines " (Solomon 3 : 15), Missioner 
Stephens said : " In the days of King Solomon the owners 
of the large vineyards which were grown in eastern coun- 
tries must needs provide some means to protect their young 
and tender vines from the foxes, who are well known to be 
very fond of grapes. This they did by making an enclosure 
around the vineyard, which would keep out the large foxes- 
but it was difficult to prevent the little foxes from coming 
in and destroying the vines, for they had all the cunning 
of old foxes." He then stated that the vines Solomon 
spoke of were the young and tender lives of children, 
which, if carefully protected from evil, would grow up 
in symmetrical beauty and strength, and produce much 
good fruit in their season. But if the foxes of sinful in- 
fluences were allowed to break in upon their young lives 
the same would be either wholly blighted, or if they did 
produce fruit it would be evil fruit.. The children listened 
as if they could see what the preacher simply but vividly 
described — the old foxes entering an oriental vineyard, 
stealing the ripened bunches of grapes within reach, and 
then hurrying away ; and then how the little foxes remained 
to play as well as to steal the grapes ; and, by nibbling at 
the branches, not only destroyed the bark, but broke them ; 
which cut off the general circulation of the sap from the 



480 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

roots, through the vines, and thus destroyed them. He then 
showed the danger they would often be in from little sins 
trying to enter their hearts when they were secure from the 
larger ones. A boy who wouldn't think of swearing, drink- 
ing, gambling, or committing other sins of like nature 
might yield to the temptation to tell a falsehood, act a small 
deceit, or take some little thing that didn't belong to him. 
Little girls who would scorn the idea of doing a violently 
wicked thing to hurt papa's or mamma's feelings or be 
guilty of harsh unkindness to playmates might commit such 
little sins as story-telling and the like without ever think- 
ing that little sins, like little foxes among the vines, would 
destroy the good in their natures, leaving them warped and 
dwarfed. After giving several instances in which young 
people had been made miserable by the commission of sins 
which looked insignificant, he illustrated objectively the 
terrible effects of such apparently small violations of right. 
The preacher asked the children to describe the character 
of Master Little Fox, and they answ^ered : " The little fox 
is sly !" " The little fox is a thief !" " The little fox is a 
destroyer I" He then showed that little foxes could 
enter vineyards through holes too small for Mr. Large Fox 
to pass through, and compared their depredations to the 
marring of family peace through the little sins of children, 
which often grow into great sins as the years roll on ; and 
many who when little deceived and disobeyed their 
parents, when men and women have been confined in 
prisons, while others have died on the gallows. He then 
drew a picture of the little flakes of snow that gradually 
accumulated into snow-banks that stopped a train all night, 
while several persons in the vicinity were frozen to death. 
Mr. Stephens in his different sermons to children instructed 
them how to sincerely love God, honor the Saviour, and 
faithfully serve Him. 



MISSION AT ST. GEORGE'S. 481 



SERVICES FOR WOMEN, CONDUCTED BY MRS. CROUCH. 

Men were not admitted to the special services for women. 
But from the author's knowledge of Mrs. Crouch's Chris- 
tian devotion for a quarter of a century, and of her 
shrinking from notoriety, he requested a lady who attended 
the meetings to describe to him her method of conducting 
the services. Mrs. Crouch's meetings were opened by a 
hymn from " The Mission Hymnal." Earnest prayer was 
then offered by Mrs. Crouch, and afterward a chapter was 
read by her and clearly explained, showing through whom 
alone we have redemption. At the close of her address, 
which was listened to by many prayerful v/omen, an after- 
meeting was held for the benefit of those who are desirous 
to lead a more religious life, and also for the benefit of 
inquirers of the way of salvation. Such were most earnestly 
prayed for, and also pleaded with by Mrs. Crouch and Miss 
Parker, who assists her in " her work." During the twelve 
years that Mrs. Crouch — who is the widow of a Church-of- 
England clergyman — has w^orked at Parochial Missions 
with Missioner Aitken, she has been most useful. The 
author is deeply interested in the work of Mrs. Crouch, be- 
cause she was the faithful Sunday-school teacher of his 
younger sister, and also the comforter of his beloved 
mother, who is now numbered with the blessed dead, " who 
are in joy and felicity" in Paradise. 



k 



482 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER X. 

THE mission's THANKSGIVING SERVICE IN ST. GEORGe's CHURCH. 

Missioner Aitken s Closing Sermon — All Jews not True Israel- 
ites — All who have been Baptized not Real Christiafis— Char- 
acteristics of the True Christian — Onward a?id Upward — 
The Opposite Direction — Some of the Mission' s Results. 

The Thanksgiving service for God's blessing on the 
mission was held on Wednesday evening, November i6th, 
1886, and St. George's capacious church was filled. After 
the Thanksgiving service Missioner Aitken spoke of the 
thorough preparation for the mission ; the co-operation 
of the parish clergy during the mission ; thanked the 
organist and his assistant for the valuable musical aid they 
had rendered, and also the voluntary mission choir for 
their attendance at the continuous services. 

The text of the sermon was : " A Christian" (i Pet. 4 : 
16), and specially addressed to those who, during the mis- 
sion, had resolved, by God's aid, to live a Christian life. 
As an aid to the memory, each practical consideration, which 
he graphically amplified, was based on a word beginning 
with one of the successive letters in the name " Christian." 
The term " Jew " was applied to every Jew ; but some 
who said they were Jews were of the synagogue of Satan, 
and not the children of Abraham ; for their father was the 
Devil and their works Satanic. The name Christian is 
applied to whoever has been baptised. He only is a true 
Christian in God's sight whom the Holy Ghost has re- 



THE MISSION'S THANKSGIVING SERVICE. 483 

generated and who is a living Epiphany of Christ. To aid 

the memor)^, the first letter of the name Christian should 

remind you that you should not be distrustful, but 

Confident that, by God's strength, you may conquer every 
spiritual foe ; for He is stronger than Satan and all 
his hosts. As a whining Christian dishonors the 
Saviour, you should be 

Happy in the Lord and rejoice evermore, and not be un- 
happy because unholy, and, through disobedience, 
despondent. As the Christian should control his 
mind and be 

RecollecHve., it will be better to commune with God than to 
read of divorces, prize-fights, and murders. Live in 
a spirit of prayer, and remember God' s mercies. Also 
be 

Industrious ; for He will show what work you can do for Him 
as soon as you are willing to do it. Instead of sigh- 
ing over what you cannot do, do what you are fitted 
for. 

Stability should characterize your conduct ; therefore, be 
not like Demas, who loved this world, but be stead- 
fast and immovable, always abounding in the work of 
the Lord. 

Teachable. A child, when first given a block alpHabet, and 
told the first letter is "A," holds up the letter B, 
and says : " This is ' A,' and C is ' A.' " So young 
Christians call different letters of the box of truth 
"A." 

Instructive. A willingness to be taught will qualify you to 
teach others. By carrying a pocket Testament, you 
may gradually learn much. Practise its precepts, 
and you will be an eminent instructor. 

Associate with God's children at the Holy Communion — one 
of the bonds of Christian fellowship ; also hold meet- 



484 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

ings at each other's house to study the Bible, and to 

pray to God and praise Him. 
Nothing . Each should say : " I am nothing ; but Christ is 

all in all." When you are empty of self and sin. He 

will fill you with the fulness of His love, and at 

once use you to promote His glory. 
The missioner urged the young converts to go forth with 
a heart brave as a lion, and not full of misgivings of " what 
might happen next !" A young convert once asked : 
" What shall I do with the devils to-morrow ?" When told 
that " God is stronger than Satan and all his hosts com- 
bined," he answered : " I do not mean the devils in Hell, 
but the devils in my workshop !" Having alluded to those 
who make progress in the wrong direction, and who are 
not happy because not holy, causing sinners to say, 
*' What a miserable affair religion must be !" he referred to 
a woman who became religious through the happiness beam- 
ing from a joyful Christian woman's face. When asked, 
" What first led you to seek the Saviour ?" the uneducated 
woman answered : "As I sat looking at her, while I was 
as miserable as a devil, I seed her face, shining like the 
face of an angel !" 

THIS MISSION ENDS AS ST. PAUL's IN ROME ENDED. 

Some believed and went onward and upward. Others 
believed not, and went in the opposite direction. Which 
way will you go ? Oh, do resolve to follow the example 
of those who believed, served God faithfully, and whose 
spirits are now enjoying blissful rest in Paradise ! For 
God's blessing on the mission, choir and congregation 
heartily sang : " We Praise Thee, O God, we acknowledge 
Thee to be the Lord." 

The services on Wednesday were of a joyous character, 
as this day was one of thanksgiving for the results of the 



THE MISSION'S THANKSGIVING SERVICE. 485 

mission work in New York. Each of the services of the 
day was followed by a celebration of the Holy Communion. 
So many thanksgivings were received from those who had 
received answers to prayer and spiritual blessings during 
the mission, that time failed to read them. A Sunday- 
school teacher thanked God for the conversion of fourteen 
girls in her class during the mission. Many other teachers 
sent in thanks for similar mercies—" for a great work of 
grace among the young men and boys of St. George's 
school, who on Sunday last promised to give themselves to 
their , Saviour ; for the conversion of sons, daughters, 
brothers, and friends through the influence of the mission ; 
for the bringing in of young men of the lowest character 
from the streets ; for the consecration of professed Chris- 
tians to work for Christ.'' Nearly all of these cases were 
of those who had been individually prayed for during the 
mission. In addition to these, over two hundred names 
were signed to printed papers, acknowledging some help 
received, and specifying some line of Church work in 
which the writer pledged himself or herself to engage. At 
a meeting held by the clergy the names were classified, 
and all signers put under instruction, or assigned appro- 
priate work. 

CLOSING CELEBRATION OF THE HOLY COMMUNION. 

At the morning administration one hundred and fifty 
persons communed, and three hundred and fifty at the 
evening celebration. The missioner w^as gratified that, 
included in the results of the mission, one hundred and 
fifty persons who are willing to work for Christ had sent in 
their names to the rector, who " is clever in giving Chris- 
tians something to do," as well as earnest in teaching them 
" what to believe." Missioner and rector and assistant 
clergy are thankful that many who were blessed through 



486 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

the mission, like one of the ten lepers whom Christ had 
cleansed, returned to give thanlcs. 

On Thursday afternoon the missioner held a meeting 
which he called a quiet hour, and defined as an after- 
meeting for Christians. The body of the church was filled, 
when Missioner Aitken came into the centre aisle, without 
surplice, and begged those present to fall on their knees 
and pray that God alone might speak to each soul. He 
explained that the results of the mission are found to be 
more lasting on those converted during its influences than 
on true believers, for the reason that the sinner grasped a 
definite benefit, while the Christian was only stirred and 
excited. On his knees, with the congregation, for over an 
hour, with the text, " Search me, O God, and try my 
heart," often on his lips, the missioner reviewed all pos- 
sible failings of heart or mind that could stand between the 
soul and its progress and work in Christ, and urged the 
giving up of every hidden sin and idol. " If in work for 
God desire for success has predominated over love for 
souls ; if as a teacher I have cared for the size and prosper- 
ity of my class, and not for the salvation of its members, 
search me, O God, and try my heart ; if in any form of 
work I have sought self and not God's glory, lead me to see 
it and remove it,"' He then spoke of »worldliness, selfish- 
ness, idolatry, and all besetting sins, urging each to see his 
own failing nailed to the cross of Christ, and to believe in 
his complete redemption from the power of habit. Such 
hymns as " Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow," 
and the consecration hymn, " Take my life and let it be 
consecrated. Lord, to Thee," were sung by the people on 
their knees, and the service closed with a prayer that those 
who had united in the mission services in New York might 
meet in the land above, clothed in the spotless purity of 
Christ. 



THE MISSION'S THANKSGIVING SERVICE. 487 

Missioner Stephens has much to encourage him respect- 
ing the results of his ministrations to children and Sunday- 
school teachers. More than half of the members of the 
upper classes received definite blessings, and some of the 
Sunday-school teachers are greatly rejoicing. When the 
sermon preached on the loth instant was ended about one 
hundred of the children who were present remained to be 
personally conversed with at the after-meeting. 

LETTER FROM A YOUNG LAY EVANGELIST. 

New York, January 4, 1886. 

Dear Mr. Bonham : I take the liberty to inform you that since I 
listened to the Rev. Missioner Stephens's sermon addressed to Christian 
workers and to Sunday-school teachers, based on the words of the great 
Shepherd's command, " Feed my lambs" (John 21 : 15), I have been 
graciously enlightened and awakened by his soul-stirring words concern- 
ing " child conversion." But as I labor as a lay evangelist, lam grieved 
as I remember the number of young children at my services who pub- 
licly indicated that they desired to receive instruction how to come to 
the Saviour whom I have indifferently neglected ! But through the ap- 
peal of the missioner truths were impressed on my mind which before I 
had scarcely noticed. Some time ago, among the children who desired 
instruction was a girl fourteen years of age, whom I entirely neglected. 
Thank God I all is now changed. The week after I heard Missioner 
Stephens's address respecting ministerial duty to the young, sixteen per- 
sons resolved to accept the pardon and peace which the Saviour freely 
offers, eleven of whom were children. Later, at other Gospel services, 
over thirty children have had the confidence to call Christ their own 
Saviour. 

We have since started a special service for boys, and another for 
girls ; and a little girl eleven years of age has desired a service for her 
schoolmates. The shower of blessing is increasing ; for on Sunday last, 
after I saw you, nine children, ranging from the age of six to fifteen, re- 
solved to love and serve the Saviour. . . . 

Yours in Christ, 



48d THE CHURCH REVIVED, 



CHAPTER XI. 

AFTER THE MISSION IN ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH. 

Sermon to Men Only — The Widow of Nain—Chrisf s Mandate 
Obeyed — Analogy between a Dead Body and a Dead Soul — 
'* O Gody Save me for my Mother's SakeT^ — "/ Say ufito 
Thee^ Arise f 

The Rector of St. George's Church labored unceasingly 
to make mission services successful. He stood at the cor- 
ner of Broadway and Fourteenth Street during the early 
part of the evening, and offered circulars inviting passers- 
by to attend the services. 

The text of the sermon to men only was, " Young man, 
I say unto thee, arise" (Luke 14 : 17). The introduc- 
tion depicted the funeral procession in the beautiful city 
of Nain, and the bereaved widow's wail as her son was 
being carried to be buried from her sight ; how the Saviour 
touched the bier, and the dead obeyed His voice, and He 
who is " the Resurrection and the Life'' delivered him to 
his mother. ** Three times Christ proved His power over 
death :" {a) in the case of the little child, the centurion's 
daughter ; {p) the young man referred to in the text ; 
(c) Lazarus, who had been entombed four days. The 
moment the Saviour touched the little damsel's hand, she 
opened her eyes ; to comfort the widow of Nain, He had 
to touch the bier and stop the bearers ; and, as Martha's 
difficulty was unbelief, the stone at the sepulchre had to 
be removed before Lazarus, in obedience to Christ's man- 



AFTER THE MISSION IN ST. GEORGES CHURCH. 489 



date, ** come forth," alive and sound emerged from the 
tomb. The preacher contrasted the death of the body with 
the sin dead soul, and said that the difficulties of regener- 
ating the soul increase as life advances, and gave statistics 
of what he knew as a missioner to prove his affirmation. 
Though there is room for hope, he had seen but few old 
men converted. To rally from the depression the facts 
stated caused, in a cheerful tone he said : " He who re- 
stored to life the little child, and the widow's son, and the 
brother of Martha and Mary, is the Saviour of children, of 
young men, and men of maturity." After a reference to 
the brightness of this world to the youthful, he asks : *' As 
we grow older, how many do we see travelling step by step 
down to hell ? Brothers, how many of you are dead in 
trespasses and sins ?" 

As he travelled as a missioner, from different sorrowing 
mothers he received the requests : " Will you pray for my 
only son ? He is breaking my heart." " Will you pray 
for my boy ? He is a good boy, but is not interested in 
religion." Many pray : " O God, help Aitken to save my 
boy !" Is it a manly thing to break a mother's heart? 
My own dear mother is now eighty-one years of age.* To., 
night she will be pleading for this mission. She says she 
is too old to go out to work for Christ now, but " I can 
pray : O God, bless the labors of my boy." In Yorkshire, 
England, a clergyman told him that when his dear wife 
was dying she said to her boy : " I want you to promise 
me that you will seek after God." He said : " Mother, I 
will ;" and she then said : ** Lord, now lettest Thou Thy 
servant depart in peace." After she fell asleep in Christ, 
my son, true to his promise, kept his word, but found it 

* Missioner Aitken's dear mother "fell asleep in Jesus" at midnight 
on Septuagesima Sunday, February 21st, 1886. 



490 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



hard work to see the light of truth. The devil put the 
thought into his mind : " Go to the public-house and drink 
to drown thy misery." He reached the dram-shop, 
siretched out his hand to open the door, when he seemed 
to see his mother, who said : '* My boy, remember your 
promise." He returned to his bedroom, and prayed : 
'* O God, save me ; for my mother's sake, save me ; I 
won't rise from my knees until I find Thee!" Light in 
Christ that very day dawned into his soul. 

As the young man described in the text was carried forth 
to be buried, so young men are carried to death by sinful 
companions. Call no one your friend who is an enemy to 
God. The son of a clergyman in London wrote to a com- 
panion that he had resolved to live a new life ; and re- 
ceived in answer : " My dear Bailey, you have always been 
a jolly good fellow ; don't begin to be a humbug." Young 
men, do pray : " O Lord, deliver me from my baleful com- 
panions." The preacher described different young men 
who had ruined their bodies and paralyzed their power of 
will. One, who was intemperate, to the question, " Why 
do you not forsake the fatal cup?" answered: "1 try; 
but down, down I go. It's no use. I'm lost ; for I have 
no power of will. Oh, wretched man that I am !" 

Some of you are on the bier of moral death. Your pas- 
sions are the bearers carrying you to destruction, and you 
need an external power to carry you in the opposite direc- 
tion. He said that an American clergyman when in Eng- 
land related that a vessel had drifted into the rapids of 
Niagara and was whirled past '* Redemption Point." 
Crowds on the bank saw this, and exclaimed : " Good God ! 
The ship is lost !" The captain felt a breeze sweep past 
his face and cried : " Set all the sails I" Now there is a 
battle between wind and water. The water strives to float 
the ship in one direction, but the wind propels her in the 



AFTER THE MISSION IN ST. GEORGE S CHURCH. 491 

opposite direction. Now she stops as if anchored. The 
forces of nature are balanced. Now she makes progress, 
and slowly sails into less turbulent waters. As she re- 
passes '* Past Redemption Point" through the strong, 
favorable breeze, the shout ascends : " Thank God, she is 
saved !" Your passions are sweeping you faster and faster 
toward the cataract of destruction. Stand still ! Your 
fast life is taking you to hell ! Yet despair not. You see 
death before you. In Christ is life. The widow's son was 
dead, and was not consulted about coming to life again ; 
but you have yet the use of your reason. Men turn from 
faith, and call themselves rationalists ; but thrusting Christ 
aside is most irrational. Standing before you is the Resur- 
rection and the Life. Thank God, you are not yet lost for- 
ever ! Obey Christ's mandate, " Young man, I say ynto 
thee, arise !" and you may become valiant in His service. 

When the preacher was eighteen years of age he preached 
in a market-place in Scotland. Not long ago a missionary 
in India died. Missioner Aitken read his biography ; and 
for the first time learned that, when a medical student, he 
heard one sentence of the sermon in the Inverness Market- 
place—viz., *' I say unto thee, arise !" He prayed, con- 
fessed his sins, said : " Lord, I give myself to Thee," and 
in due time went as a missionary to the heathen, and bade 
them "Arise." The preacher urged the unsaved among 
the men of different ages present to say : " I will arise, and 
be a slave of sin and hell no longer." The sermon was 
exegetical, logical, pictorial ; and he not only explained, 
reasoned, and described, but also appealed from the depths 
of his soul, and stirred the hearts of many. Many remained 
for the after-meeting. The missioner. Rector, and assistant 
clergy conversed with the inquirers. The Holy Spirit was 
present, and as soul after soul was quickened into life, 
the celestial choirs circled round God's throne, rejoicing. 



492 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER XII. 

MISSIONER AITKEN's LAST SERMON TO MEN ONLY. 

The Last Sermon to Men Only — " Will ye also go away f ' — Oppo- 
site Forces— Christ the Divine Centre — The Science of Skep- 
tics^- The Brain Phosphate of Lime — The Eccentric Cornish 
Evangelist — The Final After -meeting, 

Friday evening, December i8th, the body and galleries of 
St. George's Church were filled ; and as the Rector had sent 
personal invitations to members of several of the influential 
clubs in the city, a number of them were probably among 
the large congregation. The preacher's text was John 
6 : 67. He depicted the " Man of Sorrows" in the saddest 
episode of His history ; as the hours roll on the crowd who 
had surrounded Him are gradually scattering ; and He 
stands and looks at Peter and the other disciples, saying : 
* ' Will ye also go away ?' ' Through the long ages of Church 
history this question has been practically repeated again and 
again. Christ's Gospel still attracts. Are you going to 
yield to Him ? Is He to smile on you as He smiled on Peter, 
who said : " Lord, to whom shall we go ? Thou hast the 
words of eternal life ?" Are you going back to your sins 
and back to moral death ? Whoever has not Christ for his 
centre is a wandering star, and under an evil influence that 
will drive him farther and farther from Christ and the cycle 
of love to the cycle of hatred. 

An ancient philosopher taught that there was a centrif- 
ugal force drawing toward unity every particle of matter ; 



MIS SI ONER AIT PC EN'S LAST SERMON TO MEN. 493 

and that all the forms of beauty was the result. But under 
the cycle of hate there was a centripetal force ; and the 
universe began to lose its beauty by asserting the indi- 
viduality of the separate parts. Have we not the love \2iw 
leading to beauty and harmony ? Also the law of antip- 
athy, resulting in confusion and anarchy ? Under the 
law of love, of which God is the centre, and Christ its 
Representative, we are each influenced, or under the influ- 
ence of Apollyon. Christ shows the Father's loving heart 
in our sorrows ; and blessed are they whom He is alluring 
upward nearer and nearer to God. Do some of you know 
that your back and not your face is toward God ? Sin has 
broken the harmony between your soul and God ; induced 
anarchy in your nature, so that your animal nature dictates 
to your spiritual nature. Being disintegrated, you are 
going to pieces, for the elements of your lower nature are 
not rulers. The world consists of those who are drawing 
nearer and nearer to Christ, and of those who are drawing 
farther away from Him. Some of each class are now 
before me. 

" Christ is the centre of the world before whom are two 
crowds. The one grasping His hand of love," the other 
slipping away from His presence. It is not His determina- 
tion to grant to the latter everlasting life to make them 
forever His own. Why weep for the blessed dead in Christ 
who are drawn higher and nearer to the Divine centre ? 
Weep for the man who, by the opposite force, is drifting 
away, a wandering star, farther and farther from the light 
and centre of love, down into darkness ; weep for him. 
How was it that the multitude alluded to in the text acted 
so strangely, and departed from the presence of Christ, 
while so few remained near Him ? Peter's answer lets us 
into the secret : " To whom shall we go ? Thou hast the 
words of eternal life." He was conscious of a desire after 



494 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

the infinite, a yearning for something this world cannot 
give. A man in England said to an eccentric preacher: 
" Now, Uncle Billy, I will show you my beautiful garden." 
But he answered : "It is very pretty ; you planted it 
nicely, but I suppose you will have to leave it?" "Oh 
no," he says ; " I intend to stay here!" Billy answers: 
** But you will have to leave it some day ; ' it is appointed 
unto man once to die.' " Mr. Quail replied : '* Yes, that's 
the devil of it." The preacher referred to was doubtless 
the original, but eminently useful Cornish evangelist, 
called " Billy Bray." 

" He that believeth in Me shall never die," was Christ's 
answer to Peter, who had said : " Thou hast the words of 
eternal life." Peter was true to the instincts of his nature. 
The multitude who went away from Christ were false to 
the true yearnings of man's soul. As nature does not 
chain an eagle, is nature kind to a bird but cruel to a man ? 
There is no harmony between the spirit of man and his 
present environment ; and when true to his heart, his head 
won't go wrong. " The mission is about to close, and I 
seem to behold the Saviour passing down the aisle, asking, 
* Will ye also go away ? ' Ye, over whom your mother 
shed so many tears, will ye also go away ? You who have 
been moved by the Gospel, and are about to kneel and 
pray, ' God be merciful to me,' there is but one step be- 
tween you and eternal life, and you are almost ready to 
say, * 'Tis mine ! ' * Will you also go away ? ' To whom 
or to what will you gi~to philosophy or to science? 
Science asks : ' Don't you know that you are only carbon 
and ammonia, and your brain only phosphate of lime ? ' 
Can science give me any comfort ? Yes, you will be dis- 
solved and help the elements ; but the species will continue. 
Science does not believe in your soul's immortality, but 
has strong faith in the immortality of the species. If you 



MIS SIGNER A I TK EN'S I A ST SERMON TO MEN. 495 

have resolved to turn away from Christ, will you go back 
to the world ? Why return to what has deceived you ? 
Some of you have spent your lifetime dropping buckets of 
your heart's yearnings into empty wells, but drawing 
nothing up that could satisfy your soul's true longings. 
You who have lived a life of sinful pleasure, will you turn 
away from Christ and go away to again wallow in the old 
moral filth ?" 

The preacher now offers ejaculatory prayer, saying : 
" Thou, O Christ, hast the words of eternal life ; speak 
now with power to our hearts, that we may live now and 
forever in Thee." Now, he says, (a) some of you will go 
back to the battle of life ; [b) others to trials and disap- 
pointed affection, etc.; (<r) before the morning dawns over 
some the shadow of death may hover ; [a) sooner or later 
each must enter the chamber of death. When about to die, 
and you feel death's chill, and his shadow rests upon you, 
to whom will you go then ? (<?) When at the judgment 
seat of Christ, and your sins are sinking you down to the 
silence of despair, to whom will you then go ? When the 
judgment sentence, " Depart," is uttered, and through the 
sins of your own free choice you are hurled into the chilling 
regions of gloom, and the second death will cling to you, 
to whom will you then go ? To escape the wages of sin, 
let us each now come to meet Him who is the source of 
life eternal. 

THE FINAL AFTER-MEETING. 

A very large number of the congregation have remained. 
The missioner says : " Let us kneel, and say together, 
* Just as I am,' etc., ' O Lamb of God, I come.' 

" You think that the verse is right, but say, * If I were 
only a little different, I would come ; ' but this means 
' Just as I am not ! ' If you sincerely say, * Just as I am, 



496 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

I come,' all the guilt upon your conscience is included. 
Another says, ' My heart is so hard I can't weep.' This 
means ' As I am not ; I will come the next time.' Kneeling 
here will not soften your heart at any time. Another 
says : * I haven't repented enough, and I am not half peni- 
tent enough to come to Christ now ; ' but * just as you are,* 
if you come to Him He will receive you. Another says : 
' I have not the right kind of faith ; ' but on this account 
come ' just as you are ' to-night.'* Now he requests them 
to say the verse over again, and a number in subdued tones 
do so. While another hymn is softty sung, the devoted 
Missioner quietly passes from pew to pew, uttering words 
of consolation or instruction, and occasionally kneeling by 
the side of an anxious soul, w^hispering near his ear a brief 
prayer to God for the specific blessing needed. While the 
author is taking notes, Missioner Aitken silently approaches 
him, shakes his hand, says : " Good-by," passes from the 
robing-room to the rectory, soon enters a carriage, and is 
driven to the depot to take the night train for Boston, to 
preach in Trinity Church on Sunday. The inquiry-meet- 
ing was continued for a little while after we saw his face 
no more. 



ST. GEORGE'S MISSION IN A VENUE A. 497 



CHAPTER XIII. 

ST. GEORGE'S MISSION IN AVENUE A. 

A Beer Saloon Secured — Gospel Services Therein — A Sunday^ 
School Opened — A Discharged Prisoner — The Bishop of 
London Surprised — The Premier and the Crossing Siveeper. 

Last August brought to a focus many long-considered 
plans for evangelizing the large numbers of people living 
in the near neighborhood of St. George's Church, whom 
all efforts had failed to attract to the regular Church ser- 
vices. A visitor said : " Their need of the Gospel of Life 
and Light was plainly evident : the houses fairly bursting 
with occupants who appeared at every window and over- 
flowed into the dirty streets ; the children swarming 
together amid the unwholesome rubbish scattered every- 
where ; on every side profanity and indecency. A search 
was made for a small room where services could be held, 
and Jefferson Hall, 253 Avenue A, was found and engaged. 
It was a hall of bad reputation, frequented often by people 
of the lowest character, a dance hall and a place of rendez- 
vous for socialistic clubs. 

" On Sunday, August 31st, the first service was held. 
A congregation composed mostly of children and young 
boys assembled. The entrance to the hall was through a 
beer saloon, where men were drinking, smoking, and play- 
ing cards and pool. The singing attracted the occupants 
of the saloon, and many of them entered and joined in it. 



498 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

Disorder was of course the rule at this and subsequent ser- 
vices for some time. Many came to ridicule and blas- 
pheme ; others came to ' make a good thing out of it,' and 
told many moving tales of distress ; others came from curi- 
osity, from love of singing, or because they had nothing 
else to do. Still, they came, and regardless of disorder 
and interruptions (which gradually decreased), the services 
were steadily continued, and the power of the Holy Spirit 
was constantly invoked, and His aid was bountifully ex- 
tended. 

" In October the whole building was leased until 1887, 
the saloon-keeper having previously given up his business 
and retired. Nothing now remains to indicate its former 
use and character. The lower floor is wholly given up to 
schemes for improving the minds and souls of men. Ev^ery 
Sunday afternoon at four o'clock, and every evening at 
eight, evangelistic services are held. 

" The Sunday-school was opened in November, chiefly 
with the object of keeping small boys from the mission 
service. On no condition would they agree to this exclu- 
sion until they secured a promise of a service all to them- 
selves, and Sunday after Sunday they crowded round the 
workers going to the mission, with the eager appeal, 
'When will our service begin?' At first the school was 
of the wildest character. There are at present fourteen 
classes, and the school numbers about one hundred and 
twenty-five, but the average attendance is not more than 
eight}'', many of the children having been actually forbid- 
den to come by their parents and priests ; but their proxim- 
ity to and constant association with the inhabitants of the 
worst quarters of the city make the work among .them 
seem, at first sight, almost hopeless, as the children have 
practically no means of raising themselves, being so ter- 
ribly handicapped by their surroundings. It is impossible 



ST. GEORGE'S MISSION IN A VENUE A. 499 

to treat or teach these children as if they had been blessed 
with refined homes and training. 

** The reading-room was opened as one step toward solv^- 
ing the problem of how to keep hold of those who regularly 
attend the mission services. The two Gospel services on 
Tuesday and Thursday are plainly insufficient to meet the 
necessities of the case. The men must have a place of 
refuge from the evil influences of the bar-room and the 
street corner, and experience has shown that they are ready 
to avail themselves of the privilege which the Mission Hall 
thus affords every Friday night." 

The author was present at the afternoon service on the 
last Sunday in February, 1886. The Rev. Dr. Wilson de- 
livered a touching address on " Christ Weeping over Jeru- 
salem." Among the speakers who followed, one was a 
fine-looking man about sixty-five years of age, who 'said he 
had spent two thirds of his lifetime in prison. He implored 
the prayers of the people that God, who had saved him, 
would keep him from falling. The people were deeply 
moved as he told how he was beset by temptations and 
struggled hard against them. The Rev. Lindsay Parker 
said that what they saw and heard proved that God the 
Holy Ghost was present. 

The Rector of St. George's does not attempt to do all 
the parish work unaided. With the Bishop of Bedford, he 
believes that the man or woman who undertakes to do 
something for a cause becomes at once a zealous and inter- 
ested adherent. 

Many years ago the Bishop of London received with as- 
tonishment the offer of an officer in .the *' Royal Guards" 
to undertake some work for the Church. His successors 
are now aided by the volunteer services of several thou- 
sand devoted laymen and large'numbers of " self-denying 
women." Dr. Theodore L. Cuyler, in his address to the 



500 



THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



Yale students on " The Day of Prayer for Colleges,' ' said : 
" With my own eyes I have seen Mr. Gladstone kneel side 
by side with a common street-sweeper, and pray for the 
salvation of his soul. I know of no grander sight than the 
Premier of England, the leading statesman of the world, 
pouring forth his eloquent appeal to God in behalf of his 
humble brother." The Rector of St. George's instructs 
his people that Christians who sincerely believe the Creed 
have corresponding work to do, and he earnestly exhorts : 
*' Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmova- 
ble, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch 
as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 



MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY. 501 



CHAPTER XIV. 

MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY. 

The People Familiar with Mission Work — The Rev. W. F. 
Waikins, D.D.— The Rev. K. Mackenzie— The Rev. E. 
Walpole Warren, M.A. — His Style of Freachiitg — The Re- 
lation of Striking Incidents — A Wealthy Lady Saved — A 
Spendthrift Converted — A Liquor Mercha?it Penitent. 

The people connected with the Church of the Holy- 
Trinity are not strangers to mission services ; for, a few 
years ago, a mission commenced therein, to last but a 
week, by reason of the increasing interest was continued 
during four weeks, and was then ended only by the 
Rector and Missioner being too worn longer to continue 
its arduous but pleasant services. Shortly after the mis- 
sion was closed one hundred and six persons, who had 
been carefully instructed by the Rector, were confirmed 
by Bishop Potter.* Mr. K. Mackenzie, who took active 
part as a lay-worker at the mission, has since been ordained 
Presbyter, and is now the efficient and esteemed assistant 
of the present Rector, the Rev. W. F. Watkins, D.D., who, 
so far as practicable, has conducted again and again a 
series of evangelistic services. He is to be congratulated 
for having secured the services of the Rev. E. Walpole 
Warren, M.A., with whom the author became acquainted 

* See Part III., Ch. IX., page 209. 



502 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

at a general mission held at Luton, Bedfordshire, in Eng- 
land.* He is now the Vicar of the Church of the Holy 
Trinity, Lambeth, London. 

In addition to the staff of mission clergy, who are free 
from parochial duties, and devote their whole time in doing 
the work of evangelists, a number of the Rectors and 
Vicars of parishes occasionally conduct missions in differ- 
ent parts of England, and their curates take charge of all 
parochial duties during their absence. Through such an 
arrangement, the Vicar of the Church of the Holy Trinity, 
Lambeth, London, was enabled to cross the ocean to con- 
duct the mission in the church in New York bearing the 
same name. 

The subject of his sermon Sunday, November 29th, was : 
*' The Wondrous Transformation of Character and of Pros- 
pects through Relationship to Christ," based on the text : 
" Therefore, if any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new 
creature ; old things are passed away ; behold, all things 
are become new*' (2 Cor. 5 : 17). The preacher said : " I 
am not astonished that most men do not care for the religion 
of the day, that rationalists and sceptics abound. If such 
a religion was all I knew, I myself would give it up." 
He set forth that the sort of religion that sinks deep into 
the heart and changes the character, not frequently seen, 
put into the colorless species of religion in the head, crys- 
tallizes into belief of definite expectation. He did not 
believe in a religion which depended on excitement for its 
existence ; and if he could not touch the hearts of the 
people by the truths he designed to present, without imag- 
inative flights or oratorical exciting expedients, and by 
plain argument and biblical and common-sense facts, then 
his mission here would be a failure. The statements of 

* See Part IV., Ch. XVIIL, page 339. 



MISSION- IN THE CHURCH OF THE HOL Y TRINITY. 503 

the Bible are emphatic, and in sermons should not be too 
critically analyzed, but uttered as inspired truths. Creat- 
ures, he said, must be measured by their divine works, 
and the preacher must live up to his preaching ; for, while 
he may preach like an angel, if he is not a good man he is 
inspired by the devil rather than G.od. Creatures must be 
measured by their divine works ; and if any man is in 
Christ Jesus, he is a new creature. This truth he intended 
to amplify in other sermons upon the subject during the 
week, but asked, Who can say, *' I shall see the end of this 
week of prayer" ? With the rapidity with which the Vice- 
President was stricken down by paralysis, any one of us 
may be taken from this world. Happy is he or she who is 
assured of a new creatureship in Christ ! Are you one of 
them? There is a home above for you ; is it yours? There 
is an everlasting life ; shall you have it ? 

The Missioner in the afternoon made an address to men 
only, which was of a solemn and heart-searching charac- 
ter. He preached another sermon in the evening, and the 
congregation, as in the morning, filled the capacious church. 

A WEEK-DAY MISSION SERVICE. 

A description of one of the week-night services is a speci- 
men of the others. On Monday evening Missioner War- 
ren preached on the text : " Son, be of good cheer : thy 
sins be forgiven thee" (Matt. 9 : 2). As soon as the 
preacher had announced and read his text he exclaimed, 
in a tone of wonder : " * Three hundred guineas ! ' said a 
patient to his physician, 'for a ten minutes' visit?' But 
the physician calmly answered : ' In that ten minutes, to 
restore your health, I gave you the accumulated experience 
of my lifetime ! ' But my text is a prescription from Him 
who studied to save you from eternity ! And He did not 
give it to you in Latin, nor its quantity in m^vsterious 



504 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

hieroglyphics, but in language which is so plain that all 
may understand its nature and its measure. It is for you 
men, and you women, so short that you cannot forget it, 
and the remedy prescribed so certain that, when used, it 
never fails to cure." In view of this, he inquired, in a tone 
of surprise : " Is it not sad that Christ was the last physician 
applied to by the palsied man, who was in his city, and 
who must have heard of His matchless healing power ? 
So now, if you tell a sick man of a patent medicine which, 
it is asserted, will quickly heal, he will readily listen ; but 
if you tell him of the soul-healing power of Christ, who is 
the soul's infallible Physician, he will instantly turn away ! 
Had the friends of the helpless paralytic brought him to 
Jesus at the first, he would have been instantly healed." 
Now, in familiar tone, he asks : *' Are you not conscious, 
many of you, that you have lived a very useless life ? Of 
what use have you been to the Almighty God ? You have 
worked hard ; but what have you done to promote God's 
glory ? Would not a true answer be : ' For all that Thou 
hast given me, I have offered a worthless life to Thee .'* ' 

"When you made a good resolution did you not im- 
mediately break it ? You make promises to a man, and 
as a man of honor keep them. But enter your Fifth 
Avenue mansion, and answer : * Have you kept your bap- 
tismal promise that you would " renounce the world " '? 
To be cured of your moral paralysis, you have tried spir- 
itual galvanism." One man told him he had taken to 
drinking, and another to sensuality, and when each was 
asked for what reason, each answered : "In order to rid 
myself of my soul's loneliness and restlessness." But One 
found that drink brought delirium ! The other, that 
profligacy led to suicide, and suicide was falling down 
to hell ! In a further colloquy he says : " Do you 
ask : 



MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE HOL V TRINITY. 505 

' WHAT IS THE REMEDY FOR MORAL PARALYSIS ? ' 

"Visit Calvary, and behold the blood that will cleanse 
the hands that have taken up books that lead to sin, and 
purify the feet that have walked to places of forbidden 
pleasures ! See the pure water from the Saviour's broken 
heart, that will cleanse your own heartache, also the heart- 
ache you have caused in others, and can cleanse the sins of 
all sinners." Now, in an appealing tone, he says : " To be 
wholly healed of moral paralysis, oh, come ye all to Him 
who purchased what would heal you at the cost of His 
own sacrificial death." 

The preacher's " Instruction" set forth that the Divine 
Physician's miracles in healing physical maladies are illus- 
trations of His ability to cure and save the soul, and that 
Christ, with His hand of mercy, first made a picture of His 
power on man's body, and then as a letter-press stamped 
the same on the healed man's soul. Looking downward, 
and with his forefinger pointing, as if the miserable para- 
lytic were on the platform before him, the preacher de- 
scribed him as continuing helpless after Christ said : 
" Thy sins be forgiven thee," because he continued an un- 
believer ; but as soon as he hears the mandate, " Arise and 
walk !" the muscles of his back and limbs and hands and 
feet all receive strength, and he instantly arises, takes up 
his couch, and walks ! And as the beholders are amazed, 
the Great Healer says : " That ye may know that I can 
heal the palsied soul, I said to the palsied man, * Arise and 
walk ! ' " 

"Young man!" exclaimed the missioner, "you have 
committed sin until it is now a habit. You say ; ' Could 
I believe that my sins are all forgiven, this would give me 
energy to begin anew life.' Woman, daughter, you know 
your sins, and say : ' If I could only believe the text, I 
would start in life afresh.' But you say you can't, and 



506 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

can't means won't. Daughter ! Christ's words, * Thy sins 
be forgiven thee,' are spoken to you ; therefore say : ' I 
will believe this moment that He forgives my sins, will 
despair no more, but now arise, and by His aid henceforth 
live a truly womanly and higher life.' " The preacher in 
a quaint tone repeats his context, " I say unto thee, arise !" 
and inquires, " Who is I ?" ** Christ." " To whom does 
He speak?" "He speaks to thee, saying: 'Thy sins 
are forgiven thee.' " " But when ?" '* Now !" " Take 
up thy bed." *' What does this mean ?" " The sins that 
have carried you, that bad temper which you have lain 
upon and that has carried you as helpless." 

"young man, what is thy master?" 

The sin that besets you, the evil habit which carries you ! 
Take it up as the paralytic took up his couch and threw it 
behind his back. " Who is that jubilant man going down 
the street with elastic step ?" The man to whom Christ 
said : " Thy sins be forgiven thee ! Arise, and walk !" 
To encourage sinners to believe and be saved, the preacher 
cited the cases of men who for forty years had never gone 
to bed sober, never entered a church, who had come to a 
mission service; and, though old sinners are the more 
awful to contemplate, they learned that Christ could de- 
liver from sin's bondage. The Saviour died to help you 
to be an upright image of God ; for His Gospel is the power 
of God unto salvation to whosoever believeth. Go down 
to Wall Street and learn the amount of power requisite to 
lift up men from the power of Mammon ! There is but 
one power left able to lift you from a golden idol to the 
image of God ; for wife, children, friendship, cannot do 
this. Dear sisters, is the life some of you lead worthy of 
a soul made for God, and that only God can save and fill 
with His presence ? Next he explained the import of 



MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE HOL Y TRINITY. 507 

"go to thy house," 

and showed (a) the house is the place where the new life 
may be best known, that all may see its fruits ; (<^) go 
home and begin family prayer to-night, though it may be 
hard to do so at first ; {c) if you keep servants, kindly tell 
them to be God's servants ; for, though they serve you, 
you do not own them. To do all this will require the 
power of God. He said that, when conducting a mission, 
and a convert says, " I want to be at once a teacher in the 
Sunday-school or a district visitor," I tell him, " First, 
go to thy home ; and if I find you do your duty there, I 
will then give you work to do in the Master's vineyard." 
Did any person mentally say : " This is excitement, senti- 
ment" ? Is it sentimental to go home, take your Bible, 
begin family prayer, and in thy home on earth prepare for 
the home above, and to-morrow conduct your business on 
a new commercial principle ? After the hymn, ** Just as 
I am," he most effectually laid upon his hearers the 
responsibility of the acceptance or rejection of their sal- 
vatipn. 

Missioners believe the maxim of ancient rhetoricians 
that, while solid arguments are the fabric of a sermon, 
illustrations are the windows that let in the light. Many 
who cannot see the Saviour when held up by dogma, can 
see Him aided by the light that beams from the Gospel in 
Christian action. People's tastes differ, as do their feat- 
ures, and also their appetites ; and so the different modes 
of preaching during the mission met the tastes of different 
kinds of hearers. Though the Rector or the Missioner 
who illustrates his sermons by relating incidents is called 
by some " a story-teller," yet the logic contained in illus- 
trations is often more convincing than when dryly stated 
in propositions *' major or minor" or in " the argument 
a prior V or '* a posteriori.'' 



508 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

STRIKING INCIDENTS RELATED. 

Missioner Warren stated that a few years ap"o a worldly- 
minded lady was induced to attend a mission service in a 
parish in England. While the Missioner was preaching 
the Holy Spirit made a part of the sermon an arrow of 
conviction that pierced her vanity-loving heart. After she 
returned to her elegant home she grew more and more 
uncomfortable. Her restlessness of soul soon affected her 
strength ; soon she became very weak, and sent for her 
physician. He told her that " a change of scene was desir- 
able," and advised her " to remove to London." As her 
personal income was equivalent to about $400,000 per 
annum, there was no financial hindrance in the way of 
immediate compliance with her doctor's prescription, and 
speedily as possible her agent secured for her a fine resi- 
dence in London. But she found herself as unhappy there 
as she had been at the attractive country home she had 
closed. Change of place changed not her spirit turmoil 
into rpstfulness. The most costly medicine her physician 
could prescribe, and the most scientific chemist was able 
to compound, though faithfully taken just as prescribed, 
effected for her no improving signs of change. In order 
to change the current of her thoughts and forget the ser- 
mon that had made her so unhappy, she attended balls and 
parties during London's fashionable season. When she 
had no invitations she gave balls and held receptions and 
parties in her own mansion. When they were discontinued 
her restlessness remained, and so she went to different 
theatres. As at all times and in all places the arrow of 
conviction still rankled in her heart, she left London and 
returned to her country-seat more wretched than when she 
had left it. 

As her physician could do nothing to relieve her, in ac- 
cord with his advice she closed her home again, and instead 



MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE HOL V TRINITY. 509 

of coming to Christ for rest she went to the Continent ! 
Though able to live luxuriously, and attended by her train 
of servants, as she grew w^orse instead of better she became 
more alarmed. As it was the sermon she had heard at the 
mission referred to that made her so wretched, she resolved 
to send an invitation to the Missioner who had preached it 
to leave England, if practicable, and as speedily as possible. 
As soon as he arrived he hastened to the mansion, and 
was shown by her butler into the drawing-room. And the 
instant that she saw him, she said in a plaintive wail : " Oh, 
sir, I will give you half my fortune if you can give me 
peace I" He replied : " I do not want your money, and I 
cannot give you peace, but can tell you of the Saviour who 
says, * Come unto Me, and I will give you rest.' " He told 
her of the love of God as revealed by His Son, who had 
shed His precious blood to save her, and who was willing 
to calm the turmoil of her spirit as He had calmed the 
tempestuous sea of Galilee. 

She kneels down and prays to God for peace. He hears 
her beseeching prayer, and speedily answers. The barbed 
arrow departs from her long troubled heart, and peace fills 
her soul. She rises from her attitude of prayer with her 
tears dried, her face serene, and her eyes bright and joyful. 
Her heart was changed and her affection transferred from 
the vanities of earth to undying pleasures above, and of 
which she now had a foretaste. Her changed heart led 
her to change her style of dress and mode of living. She 
consecrated herself and all she possessed to promote the 
glory of her loving Saviour. Rest in Christ restored her 
to health ; and now, like Christ, she regards the poor, the 
needy, and the helpless. Her feet walk on errands of 
mercy, and she ascends the rickety stairs, and goes from 
room to room, her hands dispensing blessings and her words 
comforting the disconsolate. Her fortune is now liberally 



510 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

used in various ways to spread the story, the old yet ever 
new story, " of Jesus and His love." Now she can sing : 

" From men great skill professing, 
I sought a cure to gain ; 
But this proved more distressing, 
And added to my pain. 

* Some said that nothing ailed me ; 
Some gave me up as lost. 
Thus every refuge failed me, 
And all my hopes were cross'd. 

' At length this Great Physician — 
How matchless is His grace ! — 
Gave ear to my petition, 
And undertook my case. 

7 " First gave me sight to view Him ; 

For sin mine eyes had seal'd ; 
He bade me look unto Him — 
I looked, and I was healed !" 

A PROFLIGATE SPENDTHRIFT SAVED. 

Missioner Warren related that six years ago, at a mission 
service held in a church built in the twelfth century, in the 
ancient city of York, while he was preaching he was much 
impressed by two men who were near one of its massive pil- 
lars. One of them was over six feet in height, and clothed 
in Her Majesty's uniform ; the other, a much smaller man, 
about his own size. On the following morning, while at 
breakfast, the tall one called to see him, and said : ** Is what 
you said in your sermon true — ' Thy sins be forgiven thee ' ? " 
When assured it was true, he answered : ** You do not know 
me, and I will tell my story ; for I was not always what 
you now see me. I am a University graduate, and when 
my father died he left me an income of five thousand 
pounds per annum. Soon I attended the race-course, and 



MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE HOL Y TRINITY. 511 

became a gambler. I soon wasted my fortune and became 
a blackguard, which broke my loving mother's heart. I 
spunged on my sisters, until I lett them but a miserable pit- 
tance of their fortunes. Now, had you known this when I 
heard you preach, would you have said : * There is forgive- 
ness for me ? ' " *' Yes," replied the Missioner ; " though 
your sins are as scarlet the Saviour's blood can make them 
whiter than snow." The man at once knelt down and 
prayed for pardon. " Believe in Jesus Christ, and He will 
save you," said the Missioner. The man believed, experi- 
enced peace, lived a new life ; and the soldier of the army 
of Victoria is now a soldier of Immanuel, attired in Gospel 
armor, and spreads the glad news that " whosoever shall 
call on the name of the Lord shall be saved !" 

A LIQUOR MERCHANT TRULY PENITENT. 

The smaller man whom the Missioner saw near a pillar of 
the ancient church kept a " spirit palace." Through the 
influence of the Holy Ghost, he resolved to give it up ; but 
if he carried out his resolution his wealthy father declared 
that he would henceforth cease to give him his allowance 
of four hundred pounds per annum. But he preferred the 
riches he had found in Christ, who had saved him, to any 
amount of earthly wealth ; and he knew that if his earthly 
father discarded him, his Heavenly Father would never 
forsake him. He carried his resolution to retire from the 
liquor business into practice. God stood by him, and 
directed his steps. Ultimately he went to college ; after- 
ward studied for the ministry, and in due time he was 
ordained. Last year the Archbishop of York presented to 
him "a living" — viz., the ancient church in the city of 
York, in which Missioner Warren had preached that ** Christ 
is a sin-forgiving Saviour, and would save him." Saved 
himself, he now rejoices to preach salvation to the citizens, 



512 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



among whom are some who were his patrons when he kept 
*' the wine and spirit vaults." Respecting Missioner War- 
ren's subjects, the Rev. K. Mackenzie says : 

" His exegesis of the Bible is unique, yet full of reverence 
and pointed application. The life of Moses is employed to 
illustrate the Christian's decision for God in the face of the 
allurements of the world ; that of Abraham, constancy in 
faith through all the trials of life. The impotent man at 
the Pool of Bethesda represents the helpless sinner waiting 
for the salvation of his soul. In this especial sermon Mr. 
Warren displayed a power of description which fairly car- 
ried the great congregation back to the life and experiences 
of this unknown man. It is not too much to say that, 
while simple as a child, the preacher sw^ays his hearers as 
does the great ocean the ship that rests on its bosom. . . . 
The services were attended by a large number of persons, 
who heard very practicable and profitable sermons. The 
congregations daily increased, and the feeling of the people 
at times was so intense that the great assemblies broke up 
with a silence that was almost oppressive." For a sketch 
of Mr. Warren as an orator, see Part V., Chapter XXXII., 
of '* The Church Revived." 



MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE HOI V SPIRIT, 513 



CHAPTER XV. 

THE MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 

The New Church — The Chantry and Rectory — The Surpliced 
Choir — The Mis stone r — Services for Women Only — ''Young 
Harry Freeman.^'* 

The growing influence of the Church of the Holy Spirit 
since its removal to Madison Avenue is highly gratifying. 
The Rector, the Rev. E. Guilbert, D.D., through the 
departure of his devoted wife to Paradise, was sorely 
bereaved ; but the financial prosperity of the parish and 
the increasing congregations greatly cheer him. The 
Church of the Holy Spirit is an illustration of the results 
of the faith and works of the Rector, who has already 
gained the affections of large numbers of the inhabitants 
of the vicinity. The new church was opened in 1881, and 
the new chantry and the rectory add to its interior and 
exterior attraction. 

The chantry between the church and rectory is found 
to be of great convenience for holding meetings and 
furthering the manifold work in which the parish is en- 
gaged. It consists of a little room at the north-east corner 
and also of a row of pews on the north side of the church, 
all of which may be shut off from the main building, or be 
made a part of it, by means of large windows set with 
cathedral glass. Adjoining the chantry, on the north, is 
the rectory. The material, like that of the church and 



514 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

chantry, is of stone. The cost of all these buildings, in- 
cluding land, is $225,000, and that of the rectory $45,000, 

The Sunday congregations are large. The Sunday- 
school numbers about four hundred scholars. The parish 
carries on various departments of Church work, in the way 
of sewing societies, mission work, etc. Both Rector and 
congregation are to be congratulated on the fact that an 
enterprise so new is also so singularly successful. 

As the author was present when the Rev. H. C. Potter, 
D.D., preached the opening sermon, later, took charge of 
the services during the Rector's absence after his bereave- 
ment, and was also present when the surpliced choristers 
made their first appearance in the Church of the Holy 
Spirit, he is interested in all that pertains to the welfare of 
the parish. 

The Rector desired a mission in his church, and expected 
an English Missioner to conduct it ; but a short time before 
the New York Advent Mission commenced the clergyman 
expected wrote, "that he could not come." Through the 
assistance of Mr. Thomas Whittaker, at the last moment, 
the Rev. S. W. Young, A.M., T.C.D., was secured as the 
Missioner. 

The scheme of services was as follows : an early cele- 
bration of the Holy Communion at eight o'clock each 
morning ; a forenoon service, with address on the Christian 
life ; an afternoon meeting for the young, conducted b}' the 
Missioner, alternating with one for women by Mrs. Bot- 
tome ; and the main mission service at eight o'clock p.m. 
Though good singers prefer to have their music notes 
before them, the mission addresses were all spoken without 
notes, and aimed to be quietly earnest and practical. 
Beginning with the devotional study of the Holy Script- 
ures as an aid to the Christian life, the morning topics 
were : " Except your righteousness shall exceed the right- 



MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE HOL V SPIRIT. 515 

eousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case 
enter in the kingdom of heaven," showing why, what, and 
how Christians must do more than others. 

To the young the topics were, " Give me thine heart" 
and the " hidden life." Mrs. Bottome's meetings attracted 
a very large number of the women of the church, and 
her heart-stirring addresses were at once practical and 
profitable. At the evening mission services the subjects 
were Christ's advent ; the entry into Jerusalem ; Christ's 
cure of paralysis ; the reception of penitent sinners ; the 
business of the Father which must be done ; and the last 
judgment, which shall pronounce how it has been done. 
Messrs. Rainsford and Parker Morgan spoke on the closing 
of the Apostle's mouth by the unrepentant Jews and the 
invitation of the Spirit and the Bride. 

The mission in the Church of the Holy Spirit, although 
not widely advertised and but little commented on outside, 
produced a quiet effect, which promises to be lasting, and 
convinced a people not prejudiced in its favor that the 
"mission" was not only in thorough harmony with the 
spirit of their Church, but was indeed only the carrying out 
of the Church's own most ancient idea of the great revival 
season of Advent. The Rector and his people entered on 
the mission after some hesitation and with, perhaps, some 
slight doubt as to the results ; but at the close of the mis- 
sion the congregation, which had steadily grown, and 
whose earnestness and interest had continually deepened, 
felt that it had been good for them to have been there, 
and were thoroughly converted to " the mission idea." 

On Saturday evening the mission came to an end, with 
a stirring address to workers in the Sunday-school, de- 
livered by Mr. Ralph Wells. The result of the mission is 
a perceptible quickening of the spiritual life in many of 
those who have attended it. The great truths of the 



516 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

Gospel have been reasserted with emphasis, and, if nothing 
else has been accomplished, the mission has shown that the 
Protestant Episcopal Church is still steadfast to the faith 
once delivered to the saints. 

The Missioner, who is a graduate of Trinity College, 
Dublin, is a thoughtful and impressive speaker, and 
wherever he officiates his labors are highly appreciated. 
The author learned this from those who, Sunday after Sun- 
day, were benefited through his instructive and fervent 
ministrations at Larchmont Manor, N. Y. The mission 
sermons reasserted with emphasis the old Gospel of Christ, 
which is " the power of God unto salvation to every one 
that believeth." The Rector co-operated with his Mis- 
sioner. The Rev. H. Freeman, his assistant, when " Young 
Harry Freeman," was the youthful but faithful worker 
at the " boys' inquiry meetings," held after the earnest 
sermons by the Evangelist Moody in the Madison Square 
Garden, during the successive weeks that he faithfully 
preached the Gospel therein to so many thousands of 
deeply interested people. 



THE MISSION IN ZION CHURCH, ETC. 517 



CHAPTER XVI. 

THE MISSION IN ZION CHURCH AND THE CHURCH OF THE 

INCARNATION. 

The Mission Preachers — The Rev. R. B. Ransford, of Lon- 
don — The Rev. H. Carmichael, of Canada — The Spurned 
Festival — Threafeni?tgs Fulfilled— ''^ It is Now too Late I " 

As Zion Church and the Church of the Incarnation are 
not located far from each other, the Rectors, Drs. Brooks 
and Tiffany, resolved to hold a united mission of the two 
parishes. The Missioners were the Rev. R. B. Ransford, 
of London, England, and Missioner Carmichael, of Hamil- 
ton, Canada. The Rev. Mr. Carmichael is an impressive 
speaker and efficient Missioner. Missioner Ransford as an 
orator is described in " The Church Revived," Part V., 
Chapter XXXII. The evening the author was at the 
Church of the Incarnation Missioner Ransford preached 
a faithful sermon based on the text, " None of those who 
were bidden shall taste of my supper" (Luke 14 : 16). 
After a general exposition of the parable of the great 
feast, he said that he had read this parable hundreds 
of times before he was specially struck concerning the 
great change that had come over the master of the festival, 
and proceeded to consider, first, the cause of that change. 
He showed {a) that he was at one time all kindness, and 
specified the proofs ; and {h) depicted how he was enraged 
at the way in which those invited to the feast had insulted 
his dignity by making excuses for not accepting the invita- 



518 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

tion. He pointed out the distinction between an excuse 
and a reason, which he illustrated by a reference to the 
Jews who clamored before Pontius Pilate to sign the death- 
warrant legalizing the crucifixion of the Saviour. Their 
excuse was a false pretence of loyalty to Caesar, and that 
Christ had spoken against him. Their real reason was 
because they hated Christ. 

The preacher set forth, second, that the parable has a 
heavenly meaning, and (d) described the love of God to 
all mankind, who desires to do infinitely more than the 
most loving father could do for his children, or the most 
benevolent king could desire for the welfare of his subjects ; 
and {1?) showed that the love and patience of the Heavenly 
Father, who is King of kings, can be insulted and out- 
raged. He said that the excuses which men make for 
refusing the Gospel invitations are flimsy inventions, not 
true reasons, and that the God of love cannot stand a mean 
excuse. Alluding to a lady who had sent word to a lady 
down-stairs who much desired to see her concerning a mat- 
ter of great importance — viz., ** Tell her, were it a matter 
of life and death, no ; not if the Queen of England herself 
invited me " — this, he said, illustrates the attitude of many 
who reject the invitations of the Saviour to His Gospel-fes- 
tival ; and if the greatest commandment is to supremely 
love God, not to thus love Him is the greatest of all sin. 
You cannot love your families and friends too much if 
you give God the first place in your soul's affection ; for 
true love to man would serve to inflame true love toward 
God. 

In plaintive tone the preacher said he sometimes desired 
the sympathy of his hearers ; for at times he felt burdened 
in view of his responsibility that he had undertaken a mis- 
sion ; yet he always deemed it a privilege to stand up in his 
Saviour's name and announce God's free mercy, and say 



THE MISSION' IN ZION CHURCH, ETC. 519 



to sinners : " All things are ready ; come to God's festival 
of love !" After a hymn was sung, the preacher gave the 
instruction designed to answer the solemn question : 

WILL THOSE WHO DIE IMPENITENT EVER BE SAVED? 

He considered this solemn question with tenderness of 
language and tone of utterance ; and, respecting those 
who mete out judgment to poor sinners, he referred to the 
Saviour's answer to those who considered others very great 
sinners, saying : " Think not that those on whom the tower 
of Siloam fell were sinners above all others ; for, except 
ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." He then impres- 
sively declared that God, who is faithful in fulfilling His 
threatenings, also faithfully fulfils His promises ; and, 
while we can never fathom the depths of His infinite love, 
yet from Christ Himself we learn that a time ^may come 
when those who wilfully reject Him may desire to enter 
the Gospel banquet hall, and learn that it may be "too 
late I too late !" 

PAST THREATENINGS FULFILLED. 

The Missioner referred to the fact that God fulfilled His 
threateniftg to our first parents who were expelled from 
Paradise, and, when they saw the murdered Abel, they 
knew that through sin death reigned. Much could be 
said against God's threatening to destroy the guilty ante- 
diluvians ; but the Deluge drowned them, and His word 
was fulfilled. Esau desired to regain the birthright he 
had sold for a mess of pottage ; but though he repented 
of his foolish bargain with honest tears, yet he could not 
recover it. Christ wept over the city of Jerusalem be- 
cause the Jews had rejected Him ; yet His threatening that 
the Gentiles should tread down Jerusalem was fulfilled. 
That it may not be too late with any before Him, he as- 



520 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

sured them that " now is God's acceptable time ; behold, 
now is the day of salvation !" 

The solemn instruction was closed by the preacher sol- 
emnly saying : " In years to come, looking back to a cer- 
tain night when you did hear of a loving and sin-forgiving 
Saviour, but deliberately and wilfully rejected His offer 
then to forgive all your sin, and pardon all your iniquity, 
as those who prayed to be excused from accepting the in- 
vitation to the feast when the Master said, ' Come ; for all 
things are ready ;' because * they would not,' they provoked 
Him to say, ' Not one of them shall taste of My supper,' the 
time may come when you may say : * It is now too late.' " 
During the whole of the imperfectly described solemn ser- 
mon the people listened with the most devout attention, 
and many were doubtless deeply impressed concerning the 
great risk and danger of deferring present duty. 

Hasten, sinner, to be wise. 

Stay not for the morrow's sun ; 
Wisdom if you still despise, 

Harder is she to be won. 



THE CHAPEL OF THE RECONCILIA TION. 521 



k 



CHAPTER XVII. 

THE MISSION IN THE CHAPEL OF THE RECONCILIATION. 

The Rev. Campbell Fair, D.D., Missioner, the Rev, N, Per- 
kins, Minister — The Services well Attended — Sudden Conver- 
sions — -The Missioner and Pastor Encouraged. 

ORDER OF SERVICES AND SUBJECT OF SERMONS. 

Saturday, 28th Nov., 1885. 

8:00 P.M. Opening Service — Reception of Missioner. Subject of Ad- 
dress : " The Four Classes Solemnly Involved in this Mis- 
sion : the Pastor, the Missioner, the Congregation, the 
Outside Masses." 

First Sunday in Advent, 29TH Nov. 

7:30A.M. Holy Communion. Subject: ist on "Cries from the 
Cross" — "Father, Forgive Them." 
10:00 A.M. Sunday-school. Subject: " Power of the Sunday-school." 
11:00 A.M. Morning Prayer and Holy Communion. Subjects : ^''Kvi'ok&y* 

"Cast off," "Put on." 
2:30 P.M. Church Society of Children. Subject: "A C^t'/fl^'j- Influence," 
4:00 P.M. Young Women's Bible Class. Subject: "A GirFs Influ- 
ence." 
5:00 P.M. For Men Only. Subject : "A Man's Influence and Man s 

Sins." 
8:00 P.M. Mission Service. Subject :'* \{e Brought Him to Jesus." 
9:15 P.M. After-meeting. 

Monday (St. Andrew's Day), 30TH Nov. 

6:30 A.M. Holy Communion. Subject : " To-day, with Me, in Para- 
dise." 



522 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

10:30 A.M. For Women. Subject : " Fruits of the Spirit." 
3:30 P.M. For Children. Subject: Lectures on the Church Catechism, 

First Division : " The Christian Covenant." 
8:00 P.M. Mission Service. Subject : " A Woman who was a Sinner." 
9:15 P.M. After-Meeting. 

Tuesday, ist Dec. 

6:30 A.M. Holy Communion. 

10:00 A.M. For Women. ^z^i^/V^r/f .•'* Fruits of the Spirit." 
3:30 P.M. For Children. Subject: Second Division of the Church 

Catechism : " The Christian's Faith." 
8:00 P.M. Mission. " Dost Thou Believe on the Son of God ?" 
9:15 P.M. After-meeting. 

Wednesday, 2d Dec. 

6:30 A.M. Service. Subject : "Behold thy Mother, Behold thy Son." 
7:00 A.M. Holy Communion. 
10:00 A.M. For Women. Subject: " A Virtuous Woman" (Prov. 31). 
3:30 P.M. For Children. Subject: Third Division of the Church 

Catechism : "The Christian's Obedience." 
8:00 P.M. Mission Service. "The Fool hath said, No God" 

(Ps. 14 : I). 
9:10 P.M. After-meeting. 

Thursday, 3D Dec. 

6:30 A.M. Service. Subject: " My God . . . forsaken me." 
10:30 A.M. For Women. Subject: " Lydia." Holy Communion. 
3:30 P.M. For Children. Subject: Fourth Division of the Church 

Catechism : " The Christian's Prayer." 
8:00 P.M. Mission Service. Subject: "The Holy Spirit Convicting, 

Converting, Teaching, Guiding." 
9:00 P.M. After-meeting. 

Friday, 4TH Dec. 

6:30 A.M. Holy Communion. Subject: " I Thirst." 
10:30 A.M. For Women. Subject: "Dorcas." 

3:30 P.M. For Children. Subject: Fifth Division of the Church 
Catechism : " The Christian's Sacraments." 



THE CHAPEL OF THE RECONCILIATION. 523 

8:00 P.M. Mission Service. Subject: (Acts 2 : 37): "The Great 
Charge : Sudden, Expressive, Practical, Feasible, Per- 
manent." 

9:15 P.M. After-meeting. 

Saturday, sth Dec. 

6:30 A.M. Holy Communion. Subject: " It is Finished." 
9:00 A.M. Examination of Children in the Church Catechism. 
11:00 A.M. Industrial School. Subject: "Worth." 

Second Sunday in Advent, 6th Dec. 

7:30 A.M. Holy Communion. Subject: " Father, unto Thy Hands I 

commend my Spirit." 
10:00 A.M. Sunday-school. Subject: " Ever Caring." 
ii;ooA.M. Morning Prayer. Subject: "How to Behave Thyself in 

the House of God." 
2:30P.M. Confirmation Address. Stibject : "Confirmation." 
3:30P.M. Young Girls' Bible Class. Subject: "The Suffering 

Saviour." 
5:00 P.M. Men Only. Subject: " A Good Man, a Kind Man, a Man. 

of Convictions, a Saved Man." 
7:45 P.M. Mission Service — Thanksgiving. Subject: "Grow in 

Grace." 
g:oo P.M. Holy Communion. 

Tuesday, 8th Dec. 

8:00 P.M. Service. Subject : " Always Abounding in the Work of the 
Lord .•" an Appeal for Workers. 

During the mission the Pastor and Missioner visited the sick and 
special cases, etc. 

In one of the Missioner's able sermons he emphasized 
the division respecting " sudden conversions." If a person 
whom the Holy Spirit has convicted of his sinfulness and 
guilt at one of the after-meetings had asked him, " What 
must I do to be saved ? ' ' had he replied : " Very gradually 
cease from sinning," the anxious one might have further 
asked him : " If a sudden conversion is unreliable, should 



524 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

I die during the process of gradually turning from Satan 
toward God, before the circuit is completed, whither will 
my spirit go, and on which side of the Judge shall I be 
placed, when the Archangel's trump shall sound, ' Come to 
Judgment'?" To show the importance of immediately 
obeying God's command — " Turn ye, for why will ye die" — 
Missioner Fair depicted the sudden conversion of three 
thousand souls under Peter's sermon on the Day of Pente- 
cost, who were mockers when he commenced his sermon, 
but penitents before he had finished it. They believed 
what the preacher said, that " Whosoever shall call on the 
name of the Lord shall be saved." When ? Now ! They 
were suddenly convicted and converted ; and, on the same 
day, were baptized as the symbol that God had forgiven 
all their sins and received them the instant they turned 
unto Him. 

In view of this the Missioner asked : '* If so sudden a 
change was then made, why not now ?" 

Answering his own question, he said : " The change can 
be just as sudden and just as real now ; ' repentance 
delayed is mercy trifled with.' " 

.Large congregations were present at the mission in the 
Church of the Reconciliation, and the results are gratifying 
to both Dr. Fair and the Rev. Mr. Perkins, the minister 
in charge of its multiform Gospel agencies. 

The Rev. Campbell Fair, D.D., is a zealous Churchman 
and an earnest worker. In Nev/ Orleans he was highly 
esteemed for his successful labors in the Master's vineyard. 
As Rector of the Church of the Ascension, Baltimore, Md., 
he has proved himself a faithful servant of Christ and the 
Church ;-as the earnest Missioner at the Chapel of the Rec- 
onciliation he will be long remembered. Through God's 
blessing, all of the Gospel seed sown during the mission 
will not perish through worldly or satanic neutralizations. 



THE CHAPEL OF THE RECONCILIA TION. 525 

Some will bring forth good fruit to the praise and glory of 
Him in whose name the mission was held, and who says : 
" My word shall not return unto Me void, but shall ac- 
complish that whereunto I sent it." 



526 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

THE MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER. 

The Rev. Father Benson — Father Grafton — The Brotherhood 
Not Easily Discouraged — Large Congregations at the Church 
of the Redeemer — The Missioner's Earnestness. 

Had the Bostonians not taken fright at the costume of 
the Rev. Father Benson, head of the Cowley Fathers, 
because he appeared in the attire of the order, years ago 
the mission flame would have brightly shone in the Athens 
of America. The Brotherhood love the Church of Eng- 
land, and desire to incite more religious life in her 
daughter in the United States. They are not easily dis- 
couraged, and believe in final perseverance, though not of 
the Calvinistic type. Some of them were wealthy, but they 
consecrated their wealth and time and talents to be instru- 
ments of God in reviving His slumbering Church. The 
chalice used at the Holy Communion service in the chapel 
of the House of St. John the Evangelist, Cowley, Oxford, 
is enriched by some of the jewels of Father Benson's 
ancestors. The Fathers who were poor and those who were 
rich have " all things in common." And when a Rector or 
Vicar or Incumbent desires one of the Cowley Fathers to 
conduct a mission, he expects to be repaid his travelling 
expenses, but no personal compensation. When a brother 
is overworked or otherwise indisposed, he is cared for at an 
institution near the sea-shore. The minds of the Brother- 
hood are not anxious respecting "food ;" but they claim 



MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER. 527 

the privilege of wearing '' raiment" of the fashion of their 
order. 

FATHERS OF THE SOCIETY OF ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST 

since the year 187 1 have held several retreats and preached 
a number of missions in parishes in America. At the mis- 
sion in St. Clement's, Philadelphia, in 1874, the church 
was crowded. The influence of the services was very 
great and inquirers were numerous. Father Maturin and 
Father Tobart have recently preached a mission in Mil- 
waukee, Wis., which made a marked religious impression 
on the entire city. 

The Rev. J. W. Shackleford, Rector of the Church of the 
Redeemer, corner of Park Avenue and Eighty-second 
Street, New York, secured the services of the Rev. Father 
Grafton, of the Church of the Advent, Boston, who ably 
conducted the mission in his church. It began most au- 
spiciously on Monday, November 29th. The church was 
completely filled at eleven o'clock, and the music was admir- 
able and hearty. The first sermon in the course, by Father 
Grafton, was on *' Man," God's creature, and the relation 
of the creature to the Creator, and was a masterly and 
eloquent presentation of the subject. In the evening 
crowds went away unable to gain admission to the church. 
The subject was the first and second Adam. Man died in 
the first Adam ; in the second, eternal life is given to him. 
One sermon prepared the way for the one to follow it. 
Impression was added to impression. The decision of the 
will to be a Christian indeed was facilitated. The course of 
sermons was continued through the week, and the very large 
congregations were deeply interested. " The faith once 
delivered to the saints" was presented in a logical order, 
and included Doctrines, Sacraments, and Christian duties. 

Father Grafton is a cultivated and earnest clergyman. 



528 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

His reverence is great, but his face is usually radiant. His 
heart is large and his manner genial. Several years ago 
the author was cordially welcomed to the hospitality of his 
clergy house. (He is glad to record that the " ritualistic" 
clergy do not send a brother even to purgatory because he 
is not ecclesiastically " high," and bows at the name of 
Jesus only in the Creed.) As a missioner Father Grafton is 
at times vehement, and his words are a fervent torrent of 
warning or entreaty. - In clarion tone he cries aloud, and 
spares not, and lifts up his voice like a trumpet. Now, in 
gentler tone, he obeys the command, " Comfort ye, comfort 
ye my people, saith the Lord. Speak ye comfortably to 
Jerusalem." Father Grafton is an able writer, a de- 
voted Rector, and an earnest and eloquent Missioner. 
In view of the unreasonable expectations of some Rectors 
concerning missions and missioners, he gives the excellent 
advice contained in ** The Church Revived," Part V., 
Chapter XXXIX. 



THE CFIURCH OF THE HOL Y COMMUNION. 529 



CHAPTER XIX. 

THE MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY COMMUNION. 

Preparation for the Mission — The Rev. Dr. Courtney^ the Mis- 
sioner — Circular Defining the Mission — Programme of the 
Daily Services — The Rector Greatly Encouraged — Lay Work- 
ers' Association. 

The Rev. H. Mottett, the earnest Rector of the Church 
of the Holy Communion, long before the commencement 
of the New York Advent Mission, earnestly prayed that 
God would prepare the hearts of the people to receive the 
message of His love, and labored diligently to prepare the 
way for the arrival of the Missioner, the Rev. F. Court- 
ney, S.T.D., of St. Paul's, Boston, Mass. The following 
is one page of the mission literature which was extensively 
circulated : 

** My Friend : Everywhere the question is being asked, 
What is this mission that is to commence in New York on 
Saturday, November 28th ? It will interest you to kno^y 
just what it is, because it has an interest for you. In the 
Church of the Holy Communion, as in other churches, it 
will consist of a number of special services, lasting for ten 
days, which are meant to get hold of two great classes of 
people — those who already go to church, and those who 
do not. The former it should make yet better Christians ; 
the latter it should bring into conscious relation with the 
one Father of us all. The former it should make yet more 



530 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

careful to avoid all wrong-doing ; the latter it should teach 
the hatefulness and evil consequences of all sin. The former 
it should make more kind to all, more faithful and thorough 
in the discharge of even the commonest duties, more 
earnest in daily prayer and the reading of God's Word, 
more eager to worship God in His Church, more regular in 
receiving Holy Communion, more full of God's love ; the 
latter it should lead to behold and see, in the Christian life, 
the honor of being a true child of God, the manliness of 
resisting and battling against temptation, the nobility of 
being pure and honest and kind to all, the blessedness of 
God's life in man here and the happiness of man's life in 
the hereafter. 

** Now you know what the mission is and what it can do 
for you. The mission, then, has a benefit in store for you, 
for your family and your friends. Therefore, as a man 
or woman, loving the right, respecting the right, and wish- 
ing to do what is right, make time to attend at least all the 
night services, which will commence at half-past seven 
o'clock. 

"We pray every day that God will bless the mission to 
you and yours and us all. 

** Faithfully yours, 
" The Church of the Holy Communion. 
*• November 21, 1885." 

programme of the mission services. 

Sunday — 8 a.m., Holy Communion and address ; 11 a.m., Morning 
Prayer and sermon ; 3 p.m., short service, special address to the young ; 
8 P.M., Evening Prayer, sermon, and " after-meeting." 

Monday — 8 a.m.. Holy Communion and address ; 11 a.m., Bible 
reading ; 8 p.m., short Evening Prayer, sermon, and " after-meeting." 

Tuesday, December i — 8 a.m.. Holy Communion and address ; 11 
A.M., Bible reading ; 3 p.m., address ; 8 p.m., saort Evening Prayer, 
sermon, and '* after-meeting." 



THE CHURCH OF THE HOL V COMMUNION. 531 

Wednesday — 8 a.m., Holy Communion and address ; ii a.m., Bible 
reading ; 3 p.m., short service and address to women only ; 8 p.m., 
short Evening Prayer, sermon, and "after-meeting." 

Thursday— 8 a.m.. Holy Communion and address ; 11 A.m., Bible 
reading ; 3 p.m., for men ; 8 p.m., short Evening Prayer, sermon and 
" after-meeting." 

Friday — 8 a.m., Holy Communion and address ; 11 a.m., Bible read- 
ing ; 8 P.M., short Evening Prayer, sermon, and " after-meeting." 

Saturday — 8 A.m., Holy Communion and address ; 11 a.m., Bible 
reading. ■• 

Sunday — 8 a.m.. Holy Communion and address ; 11 a.m., Morning 
Prayer and sermon ; 8 p.m., Evening Prayer, sermon, and "after-meet- 
ing." 

Monday, December 7 — 11 a.m., Bible reading and Holy Communion ; 
8 P.M., Thanksgiving service. 

THE ATTENDANCE AND GENERAL INTEREST. 

The daily services were well attended ; in the evening 
the church was crowded, and many who desired to enter 
could not find standing-room. The mission for children 
always packed the church, and the children were in- 
structed and edified. 

On Wednesday afternoon the service was designed to 
benefit aged people. The church was nearly filled, and 
among those present were venerable ladies of social dis- 
tinction and of great refinement, and a number were 
present attired in the emblems of mourning. Missioner 
Courtney set forth that 

OLD AGE has ITS CONSOLATIONS. 

He drew his illustrations from eminent saints whose 
biography is contained in the Bible ; and, in his own ad- 
mirable and impressive mode of biblical exposition, he 
described the grand old age of the lawgiver, Moses ; of the 
psalmist, David ; of St. Paul, the great Missioner to the 
Gentiles ; and also of St. John, the seer of Patmos, who in 



532 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

his old age had the apocalyptic vision concerning the vicis- 
situdes of Christ's militant Church, the crucified Saviour's 
messianic triumphs, death and Hell destroyed, and as King 
of kings and Lord of lords reigning with His glorified 
Church in the sinless, deathless, and tearless city, the New 
Jerusalem. Thus, when bending beneath the weight of 
many eventful years, he saw the consummation of the work 
of redemption, the Redeemer enthroned, and heard as loud 
as the voice of many waters and mighty thundering the 
doxologies of the innumerable and glorified company of 
the redeemed. He next showed that views of life change 
as life advances, and referred to what is often said by per- 
sons advanced in life — viz., " That we do not readily make 
a friend after we are forty years old. It is for the friends 
of our childhood, our youth, those with whom we have 
discussed the questions of the day as events passed, that 
we feel most attachment. Those of a later generation have 
their own views of things to which we are not accustomed. " 
He spoke of the difference between mere companionship 
and real friendship. With the advance of years, he said, 
came the sense of the failure of life, the failure to reach the 
ideal of youth. Old friends passed away one by one, and 
people then looked around for sympathy. Where was it 
always to be found ? In God's promise never to forsake 
those who turned to Him. The consolation of the Gospel 
was not for those who deserved, but for those who needed 
it ; and each would say, *' These words were put here 
because I need them." He spoke of the hours when the 
old looked back upon their lives, and of the peace that 
came from the life given to His glory. 

employers' consideration for employes. 

That clerks employed in the numerous stores in the vicin- 
ity of the Church of the Holy Communion, and also 



THE CHURCH OF THE HOL V COMMUNION. 533 

those in the largest establishments in Broadway might be 
benefited by the mission, their employers kindly afforded 
them every facility practicable to enable them to attend 
the services. Special efforts were made to have the " ser- 
vice for men only" at four o'clock on Saturday, December 
6th, one of unusual practical interest. At the early morn- 
ing, noon, and afternoon services the church was nearly 
full ; at the evening services it was crowded ; a dignified 
sobriety marked the worship, and sincere earnestness on 
the part of the listeners. At times two thirds of them 
remained for " the after-meeting." A noticeable feature 
was the large attendance of men. No less than fifty thou- 
sand pages of mission literature had been circulated, most 
of it going through the hands of lay-workers. 

The upper room of the Church of the Holy Communion 
was a centre of the prayerful preparation for God's bless- 
ings on the Advent Mission and the Missioners, that God 
would " mightily endow them with the gifts of the Holy 
Ghost and give them a holy tenderness for souls, much 
discretion, great boldness, faith in the power of His Word, 
acceptableness with the people, wisdom and perseverance ; 
with much of His grace and power for themselves." 

The Rector of the Church of the Holy Communion 
believes that the Advent Mission marks anew epoch in the 
history of the Church, and that " the mission has come to 
stay." It has exceeded in its results the expectations of 
its promoter's. It is too soon to speak definitely of the 
ultimate success of the mission. The six daily services 
were remarkably well attended. At noon and at 4.50 p.m. 
the church was full ; at 8 p.m. people were turned away. 
The " after-meetings" comprised more than one-half of 
the congregation, and the Missioner, Rev. F. Courtney, 
S.T.D., spent no less than two hours daily with inquirers. 
Thanks to the large corps of intelligent and faithful lay- 



534 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

workers, the neighborhood was thoroughly canvassed per- 
sonally, and as a result the number of strangers was very 
noticeable. At night, and on Sundays, many were turned 
away after all the standing-room was filled. 

On Saturday, at 4 p.m., the church was full of men, who 
were deeply impressed by the practical nature of the 
solemn address. 

THE ASSURED OUTCOMES OF THE MISSION : 

First, a Sunday-night service for non-church-goers, at 
which, as in the primitive Church, the sermon will be 
preached by a Layman. Second, a working-girls' club. 
Third, a lay-workers' association, for which there are 
already pledged about one hundred men and women to 
labor in connection with the Church of the Holy Com- 
munion. 

The results of the mission are cheering to the Rector, 
the Missioner, and parishioners. The Rector believes that 
the parochial mission will prove the most potent agency 
for reaching the neglected of all classes. 



THE CHURCH OF THE HE A VENL Y REST. 535 



I 



( 



CHAPTER XX. 

THE MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE HEAVENLY REST. 

Extracts from the Rev. D. Parker Morgan's Pastoral — The 
Mtssioner' s Appeal — The Ijn?nortality of the Soul — The Bible 
Readings — Requests for Prayer — Results of the Mission, 

The Rev. F. Pigou, D.D., the Vicar of Halifax, and 
chaplain in ordinary to the Queen, in his mission circular 
to the parishioners of the Church of the Heavenly Rest, 
said : . . . . 

** ' We preach Christ crucified ' in momentary depend- 
ence on the presence and accompanying power of God the 
Holy Ghost, who rules this present and last dispensation. 
We endeavor to encourage men everywhere to honor the 
Holy Ghost ; to listen to His still voice in the soul ; to 
seek His teaching who guides into all truth ; to act on His 
gracious inspiration who ' sanctifies all the elect people of 
God.' We minister in much fear and trembling, it is true, 
for ' we have this treasure in earthen vessels,' but, at the 
same time, in holy and confident expectation that our God 
and Father, in His all-embracing love, and in His declared 
willingness that all men should be saved, will accompany 
the word preached ' with signs following.' 

" This being so, you have nothing to fear in this proposed 
* mission ' except indifference to the call of God. As 
regards what is ordinarily understood by and distrusted as 
excitement, long experience convincingly persuades me 



536 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

that the blessing we look for is real and enduring in pro- 
portion to the absence of unhealthy excitement. It is not 
only because * sensationalism ' is foreign to my own habit 
of thought, and far removed from my own methods, that 
I say this ; but I hold strongly that it is to dishonor the 
Word of God, and to discredit His power, to resort to 
anything unreal, histrionic, and exaggerated in the conduct 
of the services. I believe in services characterized by the 
very utmost reverence, decorum, and sobriety ; in the 
preaching of the message as simply as the message itself is 
simple ; in music, tender, sweet, devotional ; in hymns, 
selected not for the sake of some sensational or ' catch- 
ing ' tune, but selected for the sake of the words. For 
this reason I always ask that I may be allowed to conduct 
the music myself at the week-day services. I have been 
collecting tunes for many years, and I have reason to know 
how largely a sweet tune, wedded to sweet words, conduce 
to devotional feeling. I have, for this reason, also asked 
your Pastor to allow us to have our own hymn-book. I 
believe in the perfect stillness of an after-meeting, where 
the soul is waiting quietly for the moving of the waters. 
I believe in the power of silent prayer, and of quiet com- 
munion with God, as the great safeguard against reaction, 
and as some security against ephemeral and unprofitable 
impressions. I pray of you, therefore, to put away from 
your minds, as far as the east is from the west, any sucih 
fear about ' excitement,' which is not only, so far as I am 
concerned, groundless, but might, if entertained, seriously 
prejudice our work. 

" The List of Services is in your hands. It is not for me 
to ask you to avail yourself of this opportunity. I cannot 
properly urge on you to come and hear. That invitation 
must come from his lips who exercises among you the more 
stated ministry, and who, in inviting the mission into his 



THE CHURCH OF THE HE A VEiVL V REST. 537 

church, gives fresh evidence, were it needed, of his earnest 
desire for the spiritual well-being of the flock committed 
to his care. This much, however, I may be permitted to 
say, that the plan I invariably pursue is that of a consecu- 
tive course of teaching, and so consecutive that it is well 
not to miss, if you can help doing so, one link in the chain. 
Put the List of Services in some prominent place, that you 
may be well reminded of them. 

** Is it going outside my province to express the hope that 
you will make such arrangements as shall set you and yours 
free to attend the services ? This much I feel I may fitly 
ask of those to whom I come some thousands of miles 
across sea and land to minister. And will you not pray 
for me ? Ask God, for Christ's sake, to bestow on me 
special grace for a special work for Him. Pray for your- 
self that this * mission ' may be to your own soul a time 
of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. Pray for 
those near and dear to you, that they also may be partakers 
of all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. 

" Entered on in a spirit of Pentecostal expectation, con- 
tinued in a spirit of persevering and importunate prayer, 
the ' mission * will surely end in heartfelt and grateful 
praise. 

" I remain, faithfully yours, 

" Francis Pigou." 

the pastoral of the rev. d. parker morgan. 

551 Fifth Avenue, New York, Oct. i, 1885. 
My Dear Parishioners and Friends : The great " Ad- 
vent Mission " is nigh, even at the doors ! In placing the 
Church of the Heavenly Rest in line with the twenty and 
one churches of this city, which, under the leadership of 
the Assistant Bishop, have united in this movement, I in- 
curred no small responsibility. The fact that our dear 



538 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

Rector — whose health has not yet permitted him to return 
to us — is not here to share it with me, makes that respon- 
sibility all the greater. We have, however, the assistance 
of his prayers and the assurance that none will rejoice 
more heartily than himself if God shall be pleased to crown 
the mission with success. I need scarcely tell you that I 
have not taken this important step hastily or unadvisedly. 
I have carefully sought guidance herein from my brethren, 
from my Bishop, and, above all, from my God. To me a 
mission is no new thing. The glorious results of such an 
effort, as is now proposed, I have myself witnessed both in 
England and Wales. May God grant like results in this 
parish and city ! 

The mission preacher, also, is no unknown or untried 
person. On the contrary, there are few of the clergy of 
the English Church who have had greater experience in 
this particular work, or whose labors have been crowned 
with such blessed visible results. Being thus assured of 
the special qualifications of the mission preacher, and con- 
fident, from personal observation, that God's extraordinary 
blessing follows such efforts, I joined this movement. And 
here let me thank you, my dear people, from my heart, for 
the manner in which you have trusted my judgment herein ; 
and have, in every possible way, expressed your deter- 
mination to help in bringing the work to good effect. 

There is one question which has been asked, and which 
I would wish to answer in this place. It is this : " As 
our church is so full, and our pews are all rented, what 
need have we of a mission ?" 

My dear friends, it is one thing to have a church full of 
people, and quite another thing to have it full of bright, 
active, consistent Christians — " such as shall be saved !" 
It is one thing to have a pew in the Church on earth, and 
quite another thing to have a right to and meetness for a 



THE CHURCH OF THE HEAVENLY REST. 539 

seat in the Church above ! When you consider how many- 
worshippers there are in the Church of the Heavenly Rest, 
but how few workers, whereas the Master has given " to 
every man his work," I ask, is there not a cause ? When 
you consider how many turn their backs upon the Holy 
Communion, whereas Jesus has solemnly said : ** The bread 
which I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life 
of the world. Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of Man, 
and drink His blood, ye have no life in you," I ask, is there 
not a cause ? When you consider how many backsliders 
there are who once ran well, but somehow have been hin- 
dered ; who once put their hand to the plough, but have 
somehow looked back ; and when you know that the Apos- 
tle speaks in most awful terms of this " drawing back unto 
perdition," I ask, is there not a cause ? When you consider 
how many " are weak and sickly among us," continually 
doing things unwo.rthy of their high calling ; and when 
you know that the Spirit commands us to " strengthen 
the things which remain, and are ready to die," I ask, is 
there not a cause ? Yes ! And when you consider the 
spiritual condition of the best among us, how little we 
know of " the peace of God," how little we realize of " joy 
in believing," how cold our prayers, how dull our devo- 
tions, how £-cant our offerings, how little our labors, how 
imperfect our lives, I ask again, is there not a cause ? God 
knows there is ! 

During the weeks that shall elapse between this and the 
mission, I shall in various ways engage your assistance in 
doing all that we can, "as fellow- workers with God," to 
promote the success of this effort. ... It may move some 
to greater self-sacrifice in this matter if L remind you that 
such an exceptional opportunity for drawing nigh to God 
may never come to you again. That this "ambassador 
for Christ" will have to travel three thousand miles across 



540 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

the seas to beseech you, in his Master's name. That his 
own populous and most important parish will be making a 
great self-sacrifice in giving him and his services to us for 
six weeks, and that his own personal labors in the work 
will be such as few men are willing or able to bear. . . . 
Finally, my dear friends, pray for us who minister to you 
in holy things. Pray for the mission preacher. Pray for 
all who come to the mission. Pray for yourselves. And 
let us all unite in praying to God, the Father, that for the 
sake of Jesus Christ, His Son, He will manifest His Holy 
Spirit with such power, during the mission, that the name 
of our Church of the Heavenly Rest may be to us a greater 
reality than even heretofore. 

Your affectionate pastor and friend, 

D. Parker Morgan. 

SKETCH OF THE MISSIONER. 

The Rev. Francis Pigou, D.D., is eminently adapted to 
the people who attended the mission services in the Church 
of the Heavenly Rest, Fifth Avenue, and who were glad to 
see and hear a Missioner who had preached before the 
Queen of England, other members of the Royal family, and 
to members of Parliament. He is now fifty-four years of 
age, of medium height, and his head and features are indic- 
ative of moral and intellectual power. As an orator, his 
voice is not strong, but persuasive ; his tones are generally 
subdued, his inflections purely English, and his manner is 
decided. He utters his sentences deliberately ; his stirred 
emotion is under control ; and some of his sermons re- 
sembled paternal advice, given with decision, combined 
with tenderness.* 



* See sketches of other Missioners in " The Church Revived," Part V., 
Ch. XXXII. 



k 



THE CHURCH OF THE HEAVENLY REST. 541 

THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL. 

Space will permit only a brief quotation from one of Mis- 
sioner Pigou's able mission sermons. '* Christ," said the 
preacher, " would never have spoken as He did if the loss 
of the soul is impossible. The body, in time, is reduced 
to a handful of dust ; but the soul is imperishable. Sci- 
entific men have abandoned the idea that reason is the di- 
viding line between man and the brute. God made man in 
the image of His own eternity. At the resurrection the 
body is to be glorified ; but the soul will not lose its identity, 
for it is eternal. Three characteristics of the ancient Church 
most affected the heathen mind : the solemnity of worship, 
the care of strangers, and the reverence of the burial cere- 
mony. The soul is not the life which we have in common 
with the brute and the vegetable. We are to look for the 
origin of man in Paradise, and not in the Zoological Gar- 
den. The scientists who deny the existence of the soul admit 
that there is no such thing as annihilation in nature. If 
sense perception is all we have, why do we try to increase 
sense by the use of the microscope or telescope ? Granting 
the conservation of force, affection is itself an eternal force 
which links us to those in the other world. The whole 
scheme of salvation rests on the immortality of the soul, 
which itself rests not on the Bible, as some suppose, but in 
the human mind. If the soul is immortal, it must live in 
the presence of God or remain estranged and in outer dark- 
ness." The sermon was a masterly and overwhelming 
argument concerning the great value of the soul. 

THE BIBLE READINGS AT 1 1 A.M. DAILY 

were perhaps the most visibly blessed of all the services. 
The church was filled every day at that hour, and the 
hearers kept in rapt attention to the end. At the close of 



542 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

each of the Bible readings there was held a meeting for 
intercessory prayer ; and on some days as many as sixty 
requests for prayer were received. These meetings were 
most affecting and solemn ; and at one of them the church 
was crowded with at least one thousand ladies, on whom 
the Missioner impressed the fact that we constantly exer- 
cise a marvellous unconscious influence. Sunday hundreds 
were unable to obtain even standing-room. At one of the 
services the Missioner's subject was : ** To abide in Christ 
is the secret of perseverance in well-doing. Work, once 
taken up earnestly and entered upon with hopes which 
experience shows to have been too sanguine, palls by de- 
grees upon the taste, becomes irksome, and at last is dis- 
continued. So it will be, so it must be, where it is either 
taken up from lower motives, or where we do not habit- 
ually realize that it is God's work we are doing/' 
^ The Simons and instructions of Missioner Pigou were 
characterized by intense solemnity, and were of an un- 
usually thorough character — beginning with repentance 
toward God, and leading his hearers on, step by step, to 
thanksgiving. The whole mission in this church has been 
much more successful than the most sanguine in the parish 
had ever dared to expect ; and for the great blessing the 
parish has received the Missioner, Rector, and parishioners 
ecstatically, but gratefully, exclaim, ''Lmis Deo P' 



AD VENT MISSION A T ST, MICHAEL'S CHURCH. 543 



\ 



CHAPTER XXI. 

THE ADVENT MISSION AT ST. MICHAEl's CHURCH. 

Missioner Van De Water — Subjects of His Sermons — Afternoon 
Addresses — Children s Services — The After-meetings — The 
Rev. Dr. Peters' s Interest in Parochial Missiofis. 

The mission began most auspiciously on Sunday evening, 
November 29th, and continued throughout the week, clos- 
ing on Saturday night with a service designed to be pre- 
paratory for the celebrations of the Holy Communion, 
which followed on Sunday. The services were conducted 
by the Missioner, the Rev. George R. Van De Water, as- 
sisted at all the meetings by the Rector of the parish, the 
Rev. T. M. Peters, S.T.D., and his assistants, the Rev. 
Frank Draper and the Rev. J. G. Fawcett. 

The opening sermon in the course was on '* Sin : Its 
Character and Penalty," and was a masterly and eloquent 
presentation of the subject. The following is a list of the 
subjects in their order on the succeeding evenings : " Re- 
pentance," in which the preacher drew a marked distinc- 
tion, and in a very graphic manner, between a mere 
worldly sorrow for sin and that godly sorrow which 
worketh repentance to salvation ; "Faith," in which he 
set forth three kinds : emotional, abstract, and intellect- 
ual ; '* Obedience," two kinds, passive and active : 
** Jesus," a witness ; " Seeking the Lord, and the Danger 
of Delay ;" and lastly, " The Feast of the Christian," of 
which the Sacrament is the symbol. 



5i4 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

His afternoon addresses to Christian people were on s 
(i) *' Searching the Heart." (2) '* Comfort in Zion." 
(3) " Faith Attested by Works." (4) " Bearing Our Own 
and One Another's Burdens." (5) " The Contemplative 
and Active Sides of the Christian Life." (6) " The Sacra- 
ment of the Holy Communion." 

At four o'clock the congregation consisted mostly of 
Church women, to whom he preached sermons on the 
Christian's life hid with Christ and God ; and they were 
highly appreciated. 

At the children's services he told his little hearers the 
familiar Bible stories, drawing from each the particular 
moral lesson he wanted to impress on their youthful minds. 
His first talk was upon the story suggested by the text : 
" Suffer the little children to come unto Me." This was 
followed on the next afternoon by the story of Jacob's 
ladder. He also told them about the three children in the 
fiery furnace, and the story of the Shunamite woman and 
Elisha. At his last meeting with the children a lovely and 
pathetic scene took place which is worth recording. He had 
been talking to them about the triumphal entrance of our 
Saviour into Jerusalem, just before His crucifixion, how 
the little children followed in His train, waving their palm 
branches, and shouting and singing His praises. The 
little ones were almost breathless, so vividly was the pict- 
ure drawn. He then put the question to them : " How 
many of you, my dear children, will wave your palms for 
Him ?" In an instant every little hand went up, as if 
pulled to its upright position by an invisible cord from above. 
The children's services were largely attended, and great 
interest was manifested. Previous to the sermon requests 
for prayers were read, and during the mission a deepening 
of the spiritual life was manifest. The evening services at 
7.30 were very largely attended, and mostly by strangers. 



ADVENT MISSION AT ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH. 545 

The after-meetings presented strong evidence of a 
deepening spirituality that was most gratifying. Many 
souls had been reached by the different services, and testi- 
fied that they had been quickened. Some who had been 
led astray turned their back to the world, resolved to 
reform and live a holy life. At the closing service the 
church was crowded. Numerous were the testimonies that 
it had been " good to them to be drawn near to God." 
The congregation listened with rapt attention, and on 
their faces beamed an intelligence that betokened a perfect 
understanding of the preacher's words. The singing at 
all the services was loud and hearty. 

At the porch of the church was placed a box intended to 
receive any requests of prayer that might be desired. Mis- 
sioner Van De Water kept this constantly before the people 
in attendance, and during the mission a very large number 
were received. These were read at the afternoon meetings, 
and fervent prayers were offered that God would graciously 
answer them, if in accordance with His holy will, and the 
welfare of those for whom the special blessings were de- 
sired. 

The preaching of the Rev. Mr. Van De Water was char- 
acterized especially by its definiteness of aim, its wonderful 
adaptation to the various classes of people to be reached, 
and its intense earnestness. Entirely free from all cant, 
all on fire with enthusiasm, yet in perfect command of 
himself, the effect of his preaching was plainly visible by 
the intense and quiet solemnity of his congregations. His 
sermons were so simple and so earnest, and pleaded so 
affectionately, that his hearers listened with absorbed atten- 
tion. 

The Rector, the Rev. Dr. Peters, has been interested in 
** the Parochial Mission" for many years. He is congratu- 
lated for having secured the earnest Rector of St. Paul's, 



546 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

Brooklyn, as the Missioner at St. Michael's, and that the 
mission was beneficial to many, and so highly appreciated. 
The whole mission was accompanied with a great out- 
pouring of the Holy Spirit ; and for the great blessing 
the parish has received, the Missioner, clergy, and parish- 
ioners feel most profoundly grateful to the Giver of every 
good and perfect gift. 



CHURCH OF ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST. 547 



CHAPTER XXII. 

MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST. 

The Wainwright Me?norial — The Rector's I?nprove?nents — The 
Rev, J. O. Bache — The Missioners — The Rev. A. C. Bunn^ 
M,D, — The Rev. H. L. Foote — The Atte7idance — Influence of 
the Services — Special Petitions — The Future Harvest — The 
Missioner s Bereavement. 

The Church of St. John the Evangelist is the memorial 
to the Rt. Rev. Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright, who de- 
parted this life September 21st, 1854, aged sixty-two years. 
Under the direction of the present Rector the church has 
been greatly improved. The interior is now more churchly 
in appearance, and the pews are all free. The new brass 
memorial tablets, one on each side of the chancel, per- 
petuate the faithful labors of the former Rectors who have 
departed to Paradise. In the vicinity of the church is a 
very large population, and the Rector has labored dili- 
gently to allure more of them to make the Wainwright 
Memorial Church their house of worship. 

the rev. JOHN O. bache. 

The present Rector's diligent and arduous labors over- 
taxed his strength, and a prolonged vacation was essential 
for the recovery of his health. Before he sailed for Eng- 
land he arranged with the Rev. J. O. Bache to take tem- 
porary charge of the parish during his absence. He is a 
fluent and fervent preacher, and his sermons preached on 



548 THE CHURCH REVIVEP. 

Sundays and week-day evenings attracted large congrega- 
tions. Though the summer heat was oppressive, he 
labored faithfully to promote the welfare of the parish. 
After the Rector returned to New York he heard cheering 
reports of his temporary substitute's faithful ministrations, 
and that they were highly appreciated. 

THE REV. A. C. BUNN, M.D. 

The Rev. Dr. Bunn, Rector of the Church of the Atone- 
ment, Brooklyn, L. I., ably conducted the Mission in the 
Church of St. John the Evangelist. His associate was 
the Rev. H, L. Foote, of Holyoke, Mass. The congre- 
gations did not fill the capacious church, but the attend- 
ance was good, and the interest manifested in the ser- 
vices was decided and constant. The sermons preached 
were plain statements of foundation Gospel truths and 
appeals to the gratitude of the hearers for God's manifested 
love in the gift of His only begotten Son, and to the hope 
of eternal life through His all-sufficient merit. Their 
special object was to hold up Christ as representing the 
gracious will of the Father, and His holy life as the ideal 
of regenerated manhood. The influence of the sermons 
was mostly upon Church members, in deepening and in- 
vigorating their spiritual life ; and in this respect the in- 
fluence manifest was encouraging to the Rector and the 
Missioners. 

THE SPECIAL SUBJECTS FOR PRAYERS. 

Members of the cgngregation daily dropped into the 
boxes near the church doors notes containing special re- 
quests for specified blessings for the writers or their rela- 
tives or friends. The number of requests was large, and 
after they had been publicly read, extempore prayers were 
offered that God would graciously grant the mercies 



CHURCH OF ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST. 549 

desired. The petitioners, aware that, in answer to prayer 
for blessings in harmony with God's holy will. He pours 
out superabundant blessings, approached the throne of 
grace as if they heard the cheering words : 

" Thou art coming to a King, 
Large petitions with thee bring ; 
For His grace and power are such, 
None can ever ask too much." 

PREPARATIONS FOR A FUTURE HARVEST. 

That the benefits of the mission may not be lost, to con- 
serve the good results already manifest, cards and leaflets, 
with a space left for the name and address of each who 
desired to join a Bible-class for preparation for holy 
baptism, or a class for confirmation, or a communicants' 
class, or a class for Bible study, or a lay workers' guild to 
aid the Rector in parochial work, were placed in all the 
pews. 

THE MISSIONEr's BEREAVEMENT. 

The Rev. Dr. Bunn, who has a growing parish in 
Brooklyn, manifested a spirit of brotherly love in so will- 
ingly conducting the mission in the Church of St. John 
the Evangelist to aid the anxious Rector and prove a 
blessing to his parish. Soon after the mission closed Dr. 
Bunn was again called to drink of the bitter cup of bereave- 
ment. One of his motherless children bade farewell to this 
world, and departed to Paradise. The bereaved father's 
sorrow is allayed by the thought that mother and child are 
now where are no breaking hearts, nor weeping eyes, nor 
painful partings — 

" Where no tear shall ever fall 
Nor heart be sad ; 
Where the glory is for all, 
And all are glad." 



650 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

THE MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY. 

Preparation for the Mission — The Earnest Missioner-^Not 
Afraid of Holy Enthusiasm — The Rector'^s Inquiries — The 
Best Fruits of the Mission — Whe?i Satan Trembles, 

The Rev. Alfred Butler, the earnest Rector of the Church 
of the Epiphany, arranged with the Rev. Otis A. Glaze- 
brook to be his Missioner. Afterward he was called by 
the vestry of St. John's, Elizabeth, N. J., to become the 
Rector, and in order to do so he resigned his position as 
chaplain of the University of Virginia. The Rector of the 
Epiphany did a large amount of work in making due 
preparation for the expected mission. The " Mission In- 
formation Committee" visited from house to house, and 
generally were kindly received by the occupants. Notices 
of the mission services printed in the Rubric^ the parish 
monthly, edited by the Rector, were distributed, and the 
people were cordially invited to " come to the mission." 

On the arrival of the Missioner he was cordially greeted 
by the Rector and his people. When the mission was com- 
menced, at the first week-day evening service the congre- 
gation was but little less than that usually seen on Sunday 
mornings. Each evening saw increased numbers, until 
every night there were more people present than occupied 
the pews on Sunday. The interest was such that at the 
end of the first service nearly the entire congregation 
would remain to the ** after-meeting," and this was kept 



MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY. 551 

Up night after night. The afternoon " Bible talks" were 
well attended, and the hour following, when the Missioner 
met all who wished to talk with him privately, was taken 
advantage of. The daily celebration of the Holy Com- 
munion was at 9 a.m., and was devoutly attended by the 
workers. Intercessory prayers were offered at this service 
in behalf of all for whom written requests had been sent 
in, also thanksgivings for all who had been spiritually 
helped and strengthened. No part of the work was with- 
out encouragement. The spiritual earnestness of the 
whole congregation was aroused. This is especiall)' true 
of the men of the parish, and it is believed the mission has 
borne good fruit every way. 

In the lively and ably edited Rubric the Rector says : 
** It has been a great pleasure to the Rector to see how 
heartily the self-sacrificing labors of the Rev. Mr. Glaze- 
brook have been recognized and appreciated by the con- 
gregation. The close attention given to his intense and 
heart-searching words, the many expressions of gratitude 
personally given, and the remaining of the whole congre- 
gation after the closing service of Thanksgiving to take 
him by the hand were all indications of the large place he 
has won in the hearts of this people. He gladly and 
efficiently aided us. In taking the parochial duty of the 
Rev. Mr. Glazebrook at Elizabeth for the two Sundays of 
the mission, the Rector of the Epiphany found himself in 
.most agreeable surroundings. St. John's is a large and 
beautiful church, and to preach to its congregation of 
eight hundred was a privilege and an inspiration. He 
heartily congratulates the people of St. John's, Elizabeth, 
over their new Rector. The Rev. Mr. Glazebrook has 
been a blessing to us, and we believe he will be to them. 

" We can think of the earnest, self-refining and godly 
work of our Missioner with no other feeling but that of 



552 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

deepest gratitude. He labored with us for God with all 
his heart and mind, body and soul. He is emphatically a 
preacher to men, and we are not surprised that from the 
renewed hearts of men have come some of the best tokens 
of the spiritual benefits of the mission. 

*' To no agency within our own parish are we more in- 
debted for the hearty and happy character of the services 
than to our mission choir. For weeks beforehand, in star- 
light or storm, they came to the rehearsals, and at no mis- 
sion services did they fail to hold up our hands. It is a 
pleasure to know that in several instances their unselfish 
labors for others have brought down a blessing upon them- 
selves. The best fruits of the mission are those of which 
the least can be said : hearts touched and made tender by 
the Spirit of God, souls quickened into new life and ear- 
nestness. Many such have been made known to the Mis- 
sioner and Rector, and we doubt not that many have been 
benefited who are too retiring to let it be known. 

" Evidence of the success of a mission is a changed life. 
It is when old things pass away and all things become 
new. Here is a witness which cannot be gainsaid. Here 
is an abiding result which brings honor to God, and which 
tends to spread its blessing when the niission season has 
passed by. Do you wish to commend to others those 
blessed truths which have brought peace and comfort to 
yourself? Then be very careful about your daily walk. 
Take heed to your steps. Be watchful as to everything 
you say and do. Take heed to keep a tender conscience. 
Josiah was commended because his ' heart was tender.' 
And you must cherish the same spirit. You must check 
yourself on the very first approach of sin. The least touch 
of evil is always injurious. A grain of dust in the eye 
causes pain. A little stone in the foot of a horse makes it 
stumble. So a very small matter may disturb your peace 



MISSION- IN THE CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY. 553 

and lead to ills of far greater magnitude. Therefore be 
very watchful for any fault or neglect. 

" Some of you have been stirred, and more or less 
touched. Some of you have been alarmed ; you have seen 
your sins ; you have thought of death and judgment, as you 
never thought of them before. Perhaps you have shed 
tears. Perhaps you have not slept so soundly at night as 
usual, for thinking of the things which you have heard. 
And now, after the mission, what next ? Is all this to be a 
mere ' sensation' in the parish ? Is il all to end now the 
Missioner has left you ? My friend, this is a very solemn 
time with you. We are not afraid of excitement if it be the 
excitement which awakens sleepers, alarms the careless, and 
sends men to their Bibles, their knees, their churches, and 
their pastors, and makes them think of long-neglected 
sacramental duty. The excitement we are afraid of is the 
excitement which stops at feelings only. This will leave 
you in a worse condition than before. 

" The Missioner is gone ; but you have your Rector and 
Pastor. He did not take this mission up as a week's work 
only ; he is looking anxiously for spiritual fruit. He looks 
for you in God's house, and at the holy feast of the Lord's 
Supper, there to declare your faith in the sacrifice of your 
Saviour, and to receive by that means of grace spiritual 
strength and comfort. Has anything which you have 
heard pricked your conscience ? Have you seen the guilt 
and folly of your past ? You have heard of the blood of 
Christ, which cleanses from all sin. Have you accepted 
the pardon ? Have you been on your knees ? Not at 
church only, but when alone ? You have much to ask of 
God. If you have made good resolutions, how are they 
to be kept ? Turning over a new leaf is hard work — very 
hard. You have not strength for self-reform. Old habits 
are strong chains. If you would cease to do evil, and 



554 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

earn to do well, you must have a stronger strength than 
your own. And this can come only from above. It comes 
in answer to prayer. You must ask, often and earnestly, 
for the Spirit of God. He will give strength against 
temptation ; strength in trouble ; strength for every duty. 
There is no life in a prayerless soul. Your own utmost 
effort is necessary. You must work out your own salva- 
tion. But all is useless and hopeless if you do not become 
and continue to be a man or woman of prayer. On your 
knees must you seek strength against your old sins. An 
old hymn says : 

" * Satan trembles when he sees 

The weakest saint upon his knees.' 

'* Almighty God, who seest that we have no power of 
ourselves to help ourselves, keep us outwardly in our 
bodies, and inwardly in our souls, that we may be de- 
fended from all adversities which may happen to the body, 
and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the 
soul, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." 



THE MISSION IN ST. PHILIP' S CHURCH. 555 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

THE MISSION IN ST. PHILIP' S CHURCH. 

Preparation for the Mission — Missioner Crapsey — The Con- 
gregations Large — The Transforming Power of Gold — The 
Missio7i for SeaiJien — Father Remington s Open- Air Mission. 

The Rev. Father Brown, of the Church of St. Mary the 
Virgin, aided the colored people of the Church of St. 
Philip's, Mulberry Street, in preparing for the mission, as 
they were without a Rector. Their Missioner was the Rev. 
A. S. Crapsey, the well-known Rector of St. Andrew's 
Church, Rochester, N. Y. His sermons in the evening 
were long, but the people were not wearied. Among the 
members of this church and congregation are som.e of the 
most wealthy and intelligent of the colored people in the 
city, and they are not satisfied with " commonplace ser- 
mons," but admire "common-sense." Their Missioner's 
labors were highly appreciated, the congregations large, 
and the mission was strikingly successful. Hereafter the 
church will be kept open daily, that any who desire to pray 
may enter and do so quietly, and be undisturbed. The 
Rev. Mr. Bishop, of South Carolina, and the vestry hope 
that St. Philip's Church may prove more efficient than 
ever before. The mission has inspired them to do more 
than ever before for the soul welfare of colored folks. 

Missioner Crapsey is not " a colored brother," but the 
colored people were deeply interested in his sermons. 
They highly appreciate ability ; for a i^^ years ago they 



556 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

secured the services of the Rev. Dr. Walden, who had been 
the able Rector of St. Paul's Church, Boston. Whenever 
he referred to the worshippers in St. Philip's his words 
showed that he appreciated their intelligence as much as 
they appreciated his instructive sermons. After he had 
served them for a year he was appointed a Chaplain in the 
United States Navy. 

Missioner Aitken, in his sermon on the '' Golden Image," 
which Nebuchadnezzar set up to be worshipped, related an 
incident showing how a mental glance at a colored man's 
gold changed awhiteman's views respecting his sable skin. 
Some time ago the deacon of a church conducted a colored 
man to a vacant seat in a rich man's pew. After the ser- 
vice he addressed the deacon in a tone of dissatisfaction, 
and asked : " Why did you put that black nigger into my 
pew ?" The deacon answered : ** That colored gentleman, 
sir, is worth fifty thousand dollars !" The mention of the 
gold the colored man possessed caused the sable hue of his 
skin instantly to change into that of a white man, with a 
slightly dark complexion. " Introduce me at once," said 
the owner of the pew, " to the colored gentleman who sat 
so near to me during the service !" 

" God hath made of one blood all nations of men that 
dwell on the face of the earth." Because He is no respecter 
of persons, just so soon as the treasurer of Candace believed 
that " Jesus is the Christ," Philip baptized him in the name 
of the Holy Trinity as gladly as if he had been the Roman 
Emperor. 

THE ADVENT MISSION FOR SEAMEN. 

The Missionaries of the Protestant Episcopal Church 
Society for Seamen in the city and port of New York are 
the Rev. Messrs. Walker, Maguire, and Hyland, who at in 
and outdoor services minister to many thousands of sailors 
and others annually. The Advent Mission services for 



/ THE MISSION IN ST. PHIIIP' S CHURCH. 557 

those who do business on the great waters were held at the 
Church of the Holy Comforter, the Seamen's Church on 
West Street. The Rev. W. R. Jenvey preached the mis- 
sion sermons, and the Rev. T. A. Hyland, the regular 
pastor, conducted the after-meetings. Many who attended 
the services had not entered any place of worship for many 
years. At this mission the clergy received from those who 
desired special blessings their requests in writing ; and 
also prayed for those who stood up and publicly confessed 
that they were sinners, and asked that prayers be offered 
that God would forgive all their sins and fill their souls 
with love and peace. The singing by those accustomed to 
use their voices lustily in the open air, when their hearts 
were moved, was so fervent that the united praises would 
have made a large cathedral re-echo the swelling volume 
of hearty tones. God graciously blessed this mission to 
seamen. 

The Rev. Mr. Walker for many years has done faithful 
service, and is still enthusiastic. His Bethel is more suit- 
able for our services than are many country parish churches. 
In connection with the Seamen's Mission are reading- 
rooms, in which they can spend a profitable and pleasant 
evening in social converse with the Missionary, or read, or 
sing, or pray. 

Included among the Missioners to seamen is the Rev. I. 
Maguire, who for several years, Sunday after Sunday, has 
lifted up his voice like a trumpet. Faithfully he warns the 
unregenerate and impenitent ; wisely he instructs the gain- 
sayer ; and affectionately he invites the penitent, saying : 
** Come to the Gospel festival ! All things are now ready ! 
There is room for whosoever will accept the gracious invi- 
tation ! There is abundant provision for each and for all ! 

" ' Come thou to the Gospel feast, 
Let every soul be Jesus' guest.' " 



558 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

In the year 1885, 490 persons attended the indoor ser- 
vices ; 5885 were present at the open-air services at Coenties 
Slip. During the same period there were 10,872 visits to 
the Seamen's Reading-Room. On various crafts in New 
York, Brooklyn, and New Jersey the Missionary held ser- 
vices, as time and opportunity offered. A brief extract 
from his report for 1885 illustrates the usefulness of his 
mission : 

" We do not rely upon mere numbers as evidence of the 
success of our work. The preaching of the truth has had 
its benign influence upon the hearts and lives of many who 
gathered with us at these services. Some who accepted 
the overtures of the Gospel have abandoned their sinful 
and degrading habits and modes of life, and are now living 
in the enjoyment of conscious peace and pardon, through 
faith in the atoning sacrifice of the Son of God. 

" The services, which were held in the mission room on 
Sunday mornings and afternoons, when the weather was 
too cold or stormy to go outside, w^ere attended by five 
hundred persons during the winter and spring. Here also 
your Missionary has been- privileged to address the men of 
the sea upon the most important subjects that can engage 
the thoughts and consideration of immortal beings. He 
has endeavored to impress upon them their responsibility 
to God as their Creator and Judge, and the irrevocable 
and eternal consequences dependent upon their acceptance 
or rejection of the message of salvation. Judging by 
reports that were made to your Missionary and to others, 
by some who were present at these services, the Word of 
God was brought home with power and demonstration to 
their hearts. 

" One is now rejoicing in the hope of the glory of God, 
and a living monument of His grace. What good may be 
effected by the conversion of one such is best illustrated by 



THE MISSION IN ST. PIIIIIP' S CHURCH. 559 

the case of an English sailor who attended these services 
three years ago. Under the ministry of the writer he was 
at that time converted to God. Before sailing for South 
America he received a Bible, a * Sailors' Manual of Devo- 
tions,' and a copy of the * Churches of Ancient Britain.' 
He lent the books to two Roman Catholic shipmates who 
sailed with him on one voyage. The reading and perusal 
of these books, especially the Bible and * Churches of 
Ancient Britain,' were blest by God to the salvation of 
their souls, and their conversion to the Church of England. 
At the time that he had parted from them they were faith- 
ful and fearless witnesses, so far as they knew, of the great 
truths held in common by all believers in Christ. The 
man who related this remarkable incident to your Mis- 
sionary lived an exemplary and consistent Christian life 
since his conversion, and he was truly pleased when per- 
mitted to return to New York last winter to kneel in prayer 
and offer thanks to his Heavenly Father in the very room 
where, three years before, he was persuaded to surrender 
his heart and soul to God. While his vessel lay at Pier 7, 
East River, he was never absent from the mission room on 
Sunday morning, afternoon or evening, except when his 
duties on shipboard prevented his attendance. He sailed 
from this port about three weeks ago. Before leaving he 
called for a package of books and papers which was made 
up for him by the sexton. He thanked your Missionary 
with tears in his eyes for the sympathy and kindness which 
he had received, and firmly resolved to spend the rest of 
his life as he had the three years last past. No one can 
tell the amount of good that is accomplished by the books 
distributed at this and the other stations of the society." 

Some time ago the author accompanied Mr. Thomas 
Whittaker, one of the Board of Managers, to the open-air 
service at Coenties Slip. They there heard the Missioner's 



560 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

earnest words and saw the deep attention of his auditors, 
and can speak favorably of his faithfulness. 

FATHER remington's STREET MISSION. 

Another earnest Missioner to people in the streets who 
attend no place of worship is the Rev. E. F. Remington, 
of Brooklyn. Year after year he has preached on Sundays 
in different parts of the city where the poor congregate. 
Nearly every Sunday afternoon he uses for a pulpit the 
steps of the City Hall. At the commencement of his ser- 
vice his audience is small. But the voices of his singers 
can be heard at a distance, and the familiar tunes allure 
people to approach nearer. His style is original, his illus- 
trations are appropriate, and his voice is very loud. His 
native quaintness, combined with more favorable charac- 
teristics, have made him acceptable to the thousands who 
have heard him lift up his voice like a trumpet in setting 
forth some of the facts, precepts, threatenings, or promises 
of the Gospel. Occasionally other ministers assist him, 
and for the benefit of persons who were not present at the 
commencement of the services, successive addresses are 
made. Generally the audiences are orderly, but occa- 
sionally there is some interruption. But the preacher's 
ready wit, combined with kindness, soon secures attention. 
The question has been asked : "As at the outdoor Gospel 
services 'bread is cast upon the waters,' who will affirm 
that after many days it will not appear?" Father Rem- 
ington is much appreciated by the people at St. Mark's 
Memorial Chapel, and when he preaches more than usual 
are present ; and the minister in charge '* is glad to have 
it so." 



MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE HOL V TRINITY. 5G1 



CHAPTER XXV. 

- THE MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY, 

HARLEM. 

T'^e Missioner s Style — Large Congregations — Sinners Converted 
— The Rector s Sermon — Results of the Mission — Style of the 
Rector, 

The Missioner at the Church of the Holy Trinity, Har- 
lem, was the Rev. F. H. Du Vernet. At this mission the 
still, small voice of the Spirit of God was heard in many 
hearts, and His gracious influence was manifest in all the 
services. The holy solemnity of the congregations, the 
evident heart-searching among professing Christians, the 
melting of many under the quiet but fervent preaching of 
the Missioner, the numerous requests for prayer daily pre- 
sented, the longing after holiness which many of these 
breathe, and the whole tone of things — all gave clear evi- 
dence that the prayers offered so long had not been in 
vain. 

On Sundays the church was packed, and the services 
during the week were well attended. At the daily chil- 
dren's service they were addressed by Miss Sybil Carter, 
and were both interested and profited. At most of the 
mission services in the evening the church was thronged, 
and the body of it packed. A deep and solemn stillness 
prevailed, especially during silent prayer. Not seldom 
suppressed sobs escaped even from men. The Mis- 
sioner's sermons were very simple, but clear and strong. 



662 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

His manner is ver}^ quiet, and his earnestness intense. 
Hundreds who were present had never been seen in the 
Church of the Holy Trinity before. All classes of people 
were represented— the very poor, as well as the very rich. 
Nightly, about seven o'clock, the Rector started some 
young men to go out in the street and distribute bills in 
person, and to address individuals, especially the laboring 
class, and persuade them to come into the church. Among 
those who remained in the church for personal conversation 
were some striking cases of conversion, or reclaiming of 
backsliders. One was that of a man who was meditating 
suicide when he was invited by a lady to " come in." He 
felt the power of the grace of God, and is rejoicing in hope. 

THE rector's sermon ON THE RESULTS OF THE ADVENT 

MISSION 

was preached in the Church of the Holy Trinity, Harlem, 
Sunday, December 20th. Its text was St. John i : 22, 23, 
and its introduction a comparison between the mission of 
John the Baptist in the wilderness of Judea and the Advent 
Mission in New York City. The first division set forth that 
the clergy who took part therein had locked their party 
differences in the cabinet where church curiosities are kept, 
and silenced their shibboleths. They worked harmoni- 
ously, and seemed to breathe the aroma of Pentecost. 
Christians of different denominations prayed, and praised 
and worked with Missioners and Rectors ; and the religious 
press published articles to facilitate the object of the mis- 
sion. Barriers were broken down, and all faithful people 
recognized as members of Christ's mystical body. Differ- 
ences were not obliterated, but recognized as " the diver- 
sities of operation of the one and selfsame spirit." The 
Doctor compared them to the different regiments of an 
army, but who assemble as one to face the enemy ; also to 



MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE HOL V TRINITY. 563 

the differently located pipes of a great organ, but all 
sounding in union in the grand diapason. The mission 
had also developed the unity of humanity. How often at 
the noonday mission in Trinity Church Missioner Aitken 
commenced his appeals, saying : " Oh, my brothers, my 
brothers !" The bond of brotherhood was recognized, and 
the desire to do what is right and fill the place God allotted 
us to fill is brotherhood indeed. 

LIKE JOHN BAPTIST, THE MISSION VOICE CRIED I 

" Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand !" 
And repentance began at the house of God. The Doctor 
showed that the Lord has visited His temple, searching 
hearts, and purifying lives. The voice of His Word has 
spoken, saying : " I know thy works. He that hath an 
ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." 
Some, like the Church of Smyrna, have not heard rebuke, 
but words of consolation. Others, like the Church of 
Philippi, had kept the faith and not denied Christ's name ; 
heard the promise, " I will keep thee," etc. Others, like 
the Church of Ephesus, had left their first love ; and not a 
few had heard the voice of rebuke. Like the Church of 
Pergamos, others heard : " I have a few things against 
thee ; repent, or I will fight against thee !" etc. Some, like 
the Church of Sardis, had a name that they lived, but were 
dead ; and heard the warning : " Watch, or I will come 
upon thee suddenly !" Like the Laodiceans, some were 
neither cold nor hot, and threatened with expulsion, etc. 
During the mission the voice of Him whose eyes are pene- 
trating as a flame of fire had been rebuking hypocrites, 
calling home backsliders, warning formalists, encouraging 
weaklings, arousing the half-hearted, loudly spoken to 
others, and dead souls had been awakened. 

\ 



564: THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



BRIEF EXTRACTS READ FROM LETTERS, 

confessing shortcomings, and acknowledging blessings 
received through the mission, were heart-touching testi- 
monies that some of the lukewarm had become fervent ; 
the doubting to fully trust Christ ; some afar off were 
drawn near and saw His loveliness ; languid souls were 
strenghtened, and some long in darkness saw the light of 
life. The writers of numerous letters, from a few of which 
short extracts were read, had all received, through the 
mission, a specific blessing, and to all such the Rector 
spake words of affectionate counsel : {a) To carry out 
their resolutions to consecrate themselves to God's service. 
(p) To control bad temper, avoid evil speaking, and, what- 
ever their besetting sin, to cut it off and trample it under 
foot, (c) To make a full surrender of body and soul and 
spirit to God, and to let nothing stand between them and 
their Saviour, id) To read the Bible and erect a shrine of 
prayer, and to let the light that had shone on their own 
souls brighten their home, (e) To work while it is called 
to-day, and widen their sympathy by going forth to save 
the lost and glorify the Master. The preacher referred to 
a little child who held up a flower and exclaimed : *' Oh, 
look at this withered bud, that the water did not reach !" 
In a sad tone he said : " A shower of grace has fallen on 
this garden ; but it has not reached some because they 
allowed the thorns of this world to overshadow them. 
They heeded not the voice of the mission, and received 
none of the precious drops of blessing, that, through 
God's blessing, had rested on so many." 

The Church of the Holy Trinity, Harlem, for years has 
been a " living church," and the mission therein greatly 
cheered the Rector. Included in the results of the Advent 
Mission are : A marked awakening of zeal and earnestness 



MISSION IN THE CHURCH OF THE HOL V TRINITY. 565 

among the regular attendants ; many communicants long- 
ing for closer communion with God ; not a few backsliders 
have been restored ; and the new converts keep their faces 
Zionward. To conserve the mission's good results, and 
keep alive the spirit of fervor and activity enkindled, and 
further extend its influence, is the specific design of the 
various co-operative parochial agencies. An account of 
the mission and the Rector's impression of its results were 
published under his own signature in the New York Church- 
man. Space in " The Church Revived " will permit but a 
short extract : 

** The entire absence of excitement and noisy demonstra- 
tion of feeling was very noticeable. It was not the * earth- 
quake' or * the storm ' which one heard in these services, 
but the * still, small voice ' of God's Holy Spirit. The 
apostolic fervor of the Missioner produced a deep impres- 
sion upon the entire congregation, but it exhibited itself in 
the stillness which pervaded the building and the serious- 
ness which was manifest in the faces of the listeners. The 
periods of silent prayer were most impressive. It was then 
that the Spirit seemed to be doing His deepest work, while 
every head was bowed in silence, if not in prayer, and the 
truth spoken to the ear was sinking into the heart. The 
Missioner' s reliance was not placed in any artificial forcing 
process, but in that reasonable and scriptural method de- 
scribed by the apostle — ' by manifestation of the truth, 
commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the 
sight of God.' To quote the language of an observer : 
' There was no extravagance, no sentimentality, no sensa- 
tionalism. Reliance for the success of the mission in bring- 
ing souls to Christ was not on new methods and irregular 
efforts, not on oratory and eloquence, but on the power of 
the Holy Spirit.' " 



566 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



s A SKETCH OF THE RECTOR. 

The Rev. Dr. McKim is nearly six feet in height, but 
not of robust frame. His hair and eyes are dark, but his 
whiskers are whitening. His temperament is active, and 
his general manner cordial. He has a musical voice, of 
good compass, preaches deliberately, articulates distinctly, 
and the prevailing tone is very reverential. He is an inter- 
esting platform speaker ; and, without reading his speech 
or his sermon, with great self-possession he unfolds his 
subject, and does not wander from it. He is deeply inter- 
ested in the Church Temperance Society ; and, when 
advocating its claims, he makes a good impression, just a.s 
when in the pulpit he preaches a sermon. His congrega- 
tion is already large, and persons of social and commercial 
influence are among its members. 

The Doctor conducted the mission in the chapel of the 
Holy Trinity, Philadelphia, Pa. The results were very 
encouraging, and favorable accounts of the mission have 
appeared in several church papers. See " The Church Re- 
vived," Part v., Ch. XXXIX. 



MISSION IN ST. MARK'S MEMORIAL CHAPEL. 567 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

\ 

THE MISSION IN ST. MARK's MEMORIAL CHAPEL. 

The Mission Preachers — The Serpent of Inteniperance — Reuben s 
Instability — Address by the Rev. Brockholst Morgan — The 
Address by Mr. Faure — The Children Happy — " Trite In- 
wardness. ' * • 

The Rev. J. E. Johnson was fortunate in securing as 
Missioners to the children the Rev. Robert Newton, D.D., 
of Philadelphia, and his son, the Rev. Wilberforce Newton, 
of Pittsfield, Mass., for each is eminent as a preacher to the 
young, and their interesting sermons have benefited adults. 
The father's numerous volumes of sermons to children 
have been translated into various languages, and interested 
the young folks of distant lands. He is now advanced in 
years, but is " the old man eloquent," full of fervor ; and, 
speaking from a warm heart, he makes cold hearts feel. 
At the commencement of the children's mission on Sunday 
evening, November 29th, the sermon was preached b}" the 
Rev. E. G. Remington, of open-air-service celebrity. His 
theme was " The Perils of Youth in Large Cities ;" and he 
deeply interested the large delegation of children who were 
present from St. Mark's Parish and Mission Sunday- 
schools and a large number of adults. All the seats in the 
body of the chapel and in the gallery were filled, and 
many persons stood during the entire service. An over- 
flow meeting of over two hundred children was held in the 
day-school room, and conducted by William King, Esq., 



568 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

and Mr. Faure. It was ascertained that a large propor- 
tion of the children present had hitherto been under no 
religious influence. To reach many of this class who live 
in the vicinity of Tompkins Square and Avenue A was 
the design of this mission to children, and the prospect of 
its accomplishment encouraging. The services during the 
week were also well attended. 

After the Liturgical service the hearty singing by the 
children and adults, who filled every seat and the chancel 
steps, the patriarch children's preacher, Dr. R. Newton, 
entered the pulpit, announced his text, and then inquired : 
" What is it ?" The children answered : " At last, it biteth 
like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder !" In mellow 
tones he stated that the serpent's bite is deadly ; but, while 
serpents are to be found only in certain countries, the ser- 
pent of intemperance abounds everywhere, and announced 
as his subject, '* The Inspired Warning against Intemper- 
ance," and showed, first, that the sting of this serpent is 
a costly sting. When he had illustrated this truth, he 
asked the children questions, and their ready answers 
showed that what he had told them they understood. 
They all then stood up and sung a verse of an appropriate 
hymn. The preacher then showed that the sting of the 
serpent of intemperance is an injurious sting, and related 
a striking illustration and catechized the children on this 
point. After another verse had been sung he announced 
the next division of his sermon — viz., " the sting of intem- 
perance is a disgraceful sting," gave examples, and again 
questioned the children and received their ready answers ; 
and thus he kept all wide-awake and deeply impressed. 
Dr. Newton, like Canon Liddon, of St. Paul's Church. 
London, had his manuscript before him, but, like him, did 
not use the reading tone, but preached the sermon. 

The Rev. Wilberforce Newton and the Rev. Brockholst 



MISSION IN ST. MARK' S MEMORIAL CHAPEL. 569 

Morgan conducted the services at the overflow meeting held 
in the day-school room. All the seats were occupied, and 
a number of children sat on the edges of the platform. 
The Rev. W. Newton's address was based on the instability 
of Reuben, and he gave three reasons showing why in- 
stability prevents success : First, the unstable has no 
standard or pattern to go by ; second, an unstable person 
cannot be trusted ; and, third, an unstable person has no 
power of endurance. Each division was graphically illus- 
trated, and striking examples cited. Respecting the last 
division, he showed that the Duke of Wellington and his 
army, and General Grant and his soldiers, gained their 
victories, under the most discouraging circumstances, 
through standing firm. He described an unstable minister 
who left one parish because the butter to be had was not 
good ; another, because the water had too much lime in 
it ; another, because the region was malarious ; another, 
because Captain Crook worried him ; and after he had 
taken his sixth pastorate he saw there was a Captain Crook 
in every congregation, and it would be useless to make any 
more changes ; he must get along with Captain Crook as 
best he could. During the whole address the eyes of the 
children sparkled with brightness. The speaker's beaming 
face and sparkling eyes reminded the author of the advice 
given by the president of a Methodist conference, who, in 
an address to several young men who had just been 
ordained, said : " Young gentlemen, in your pulpit and 
pastoral ministrations never wear an expression of coun- 
tenance that would drive all the good-nature out of a 
person for a twelvemonth just to take a look at you !" 
J. P. Faure, Esq., the energetic successor of James 
Hamilton, Esq., who for many years was the efficient 
superintendent of St. Mark's Sunday-school, also made 
an interesting address at this overflow service. The Rev. 



570 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

W. Newton, in his address on Reuben's instability, had 
made allusion to the clock behind him, which had stopped 
or run down. After the address by Missioner W. New- 
ton, Mr. Faure related that years ago he had visited 
the Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, and also made a trip 
to several large cities, and sent an account to the Rec- 
tor of St. Mark's, which he read to the children of the 
Sunday-school. While Mr. Faure was addressing a school 
in Chicago, 111., he had said that " all Sunday-school 
people who kept alive to their work, whether as teachers 
or scholars, were incited to do so by the motive power of 
God the Holy Ghost. When at a distance from each other 
they may be likened to the hands of a clock, the hands in 
this instance being almost a thousand miles long, but all 
moving around one common centre." 

The Rev. Brockholst Morgan, who for five years arduously 
labored as Minister of St. Mark's Mission Chapel, and 
daily watched the gradual erection of the present Memorial 
Chapel, and who has a talent for greatly interesting chil- 
dren, also delivered a lively address. They were not 
taught to sing, "I want to be an angel," for most chil- 
dren desire to have the free use of their arms and hands, 
and to remain on earth for the present. They were taught 
not to desire to belong to a species of another kind, but to 
be young soldiers in the Saviour's militant army ; to grow 
in grace as they grow in years, and, until their life's end, 
to continue His faithful soldiers and servants ; in order 
that when Christ appears as the King of kings, with 
wingless but glorified bodies like unto their Saviour's 
glorified body, they may reign with Him forever with His 
Church triumphant. And at the services for children 
earnest prayer was offered that God would " strengthen 
them to live innocent lives, to defend them with His 
heavenly grace, that they may continue His forever, and 



MISSION IN ST. MARK'S MEMORIAL CHURCH. 571 

daily increase in His Holy Spirit until they come into His 
everlasting kingdom." 

Only those will be able to stand before the Omniscient 
Judge who have faithfully loved and served Him. Though 
the ungodly will be there, they will quail with terror, and 
have no lot or place to stand on the glorified inheritance 
into which He will welcome those who on earth proved 
that they loved Him by gladly obeying Hiscommand- 
mei^ts. So Christ Himself taught, and no one has ever 
returned from the invisible world to contradict His affirma- 
tions. The Rev. Mr. Johnson, minister of the chapel, is 
much encouraged by the interest awakened through the 
mission to the children. Believing that the lips and face 
express what the heart sincerely feels, in closing a sermon 
in the Arch Street Opera House, Philadelphia, on " True 
Inwardness," he said : " Let us beware, then, of all mere 
forms and pretences ; of all shams and frauds of every sort. 
Beware of noise ; of outwardness ; of the world. Let us 
be true, and genuine, and honest. How many of us would 
be willing to be seen by the world in our true inwardness ? 
We are thought to be honest, and unselfish, and pure; 
how many would be willing to cast aside the outer hulls 
and coverings and stand forth in the soul's nakedness? 
And yet there is One who thus searches us and knows us. 
And on the last great day the assembled universe will 
behold us as we are. May we not be found naked, but 
clothed upon, clad in the robes of Christ's righteousness.'* 



572 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

THE MISSION AT THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY APOSTLES. 

A Description of the Missioner — The Thanksgiving Ser?non — 
The Farting Celebration — The Farewell Ajter-meeting — The 
After Results of the Mission — A Cheering Letter. 

On Friday, Nov^ember 27th, at 8 p.m., the service was 
held for the reception of the Missioner. During the mis- 
sion three services were held daily. On Sunday mornings 
the Holy Communion was celebrated, also on Tuesday, 
at II A.M. , and in the evening after the thanksgiving ser- 
vice. At the appointed time a service was held for chil- 
dren, Christian workers, women, and young people. Mon- 
day, December 7th, at 4 p.m., the topic of the address was 
" Decision ;" Tuesday, at the same hour, an ** Exhorta- 
tion on the Christian Life." 

The Rev. Mr. Thompson, the Missioner, from the Prov- 
ince of Quebec, is a man of great earnestness and power, a 
close reasoner, excellent expositor, and at the same time 
full of tenderness and love for souls, and persuasive and 
edifying to a super-eminent degree. The congregations 
were very attentive. The services were short and crisp, and 
the singing hearty. The rich and poor met together in 
the work and worship. 

At the evening services the Missioner preached more 
especially to the careless, the undecided, the unsaved, and 
to those inquiring : " What must I do to be saved ?" Dif- 
ferent Missioners set forth the same appropriate truths, 



MISSION AT THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY APOSTLES. 573 



but based on other tests, and multiformly illustrated. 
Gospel facts and precepts, threatenings and promises, by 
the respective Missioners, were more or less emphasized. 
Topics, made specially prominent, included the enormity 
of sin ; sin, the separator from communion with God ; true 
conviction of sin, the necessity for immediate repentance ; 
the accompaniments of repentance unto life ; the awful risk 
of deferring repentance ; Christ's crucifixion the Divine 
proof that sin and punishment are certainly linked ; the 
Saviour's death and resurrection the evidence that God, 
who hates sin, loves the sinner ; the claims of justice satis- 
fied by Christ's sacrificial death ; the exalted Saviour 
" able and willing to save to the uttermost ;" the faith 
that brings salvation ; the justification of the unjust an act 
of God's sovereignty ; the believer freed from the law's 
condemnation ; the assurance of sins forgiven ; the solemn 
hour of death ; the day of final retribution ; heaven and 
eternal life ; hell and the second death, etc. The sermons 
were longer than those usually preached by Episcopal 
clergymen ; but as the preceding Liturgical service was 
short, and the Missioners preached so plainly and ear- 
nestly, and pleaded so affectionately, hearers listened with 
absorbed attention, and their moved and conflicting emo- 
tions were depicted by their faces. 

THE THANKSGIVING SERVICE.. 

At the closing service a large congregation was present, 
consisting of gray-haired men and women, a number in 
the prime of life, young men and maidens, and a few boys 
and girls. All behaved with due reverence throughout the 
deeply impressive services. The first hymn, " My faith 
looks up to Thee," wras led by the organist and a pre- 
centor ; the choir was the whole congregation, v^^ho sung 
with spirit and fervor. The ante-communion service was 



574 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

said by the assistant minister. The Missioner based his 
sermon on the last verse of the twelfth chapter of the Book 
of Daniel : " Thou shalt rest, and stand in. thy lot at the 
end of the days." In a few sentences he explained the 
principle of prophetical interpretation applicable to the 
chapter, and gave a condensed summary of its import, and 
the literal import of the text, which refers to the first resur- 
rection, when they who have turned many to righteous- 
ness " shall shine as the brightness of the firmament." 

PARTING CELEBRATION OF THE HOLY COMMUNION. 

The Rector, the Rev. Dr. Backus, who looks like a twin 
brother of the Gospel singer Sankey, read in a sonorous 
voice the exhortations and the consecration service. A 
large number partook of the consecrated elements, and as 
company after company knelt at the chancel rail, with the 
exception of the floral tributes' fragrance, it seemed more 
like the festival of Easter than a week-evening celebration ; 
and " we praise Thee, we bless Thee, we glorify Thee," in 
the Gloria Excelsis, was sung by all with ecstatic and 
grateful emphasis and fervor. 

THE FAREWELL AFTER-MEETING. 

As at each previous evening mission service, after the 
Benediction, many proceeded to the adjoining chapel. 
The Missioner's farewell address, thanking them for their 
attendance and attention at the different services, and 
assuring them that, when far away, he would often think 
of them and pray for them, was very tender in tone and 
touched their hearts. After the hymn, *' The Gates Ajar," 
he said the Saviour had gone to prepare a place, a lot, 
an apartment for them in His Father's many-mansioned 
house ; that in His kingdom would be different degrees of 
glory, yet each would shine ; and the more they enlarged 



MISSION A T THE CHURCH OF THE HOL V APOSTLES. 575 

their souls by love to God, the more each would hold, and 
that each would overflow with bliss unspeakable. In an 
extempore prayer the Missioner thanked God for mercies 
vouchsafed through His blessing on the mission, and im- 
plored Him to grant that they all may meet again in the 
New Jerusalem. And after he had pronounced the Bene- 
diction of peace, the large number tarried till he had 
cordially shaken the hand of each, and they mutually said, 
"Farewell." The mission was very instructive in its 
spirit, and greatly enjoyed by the people. The author 
received from the Rector of the Church of the Holy 
Apostles the following cheering summary of 

THE RESULTS OF THE MISSION ! 

* ' The mission to our parish has been the means of stirring 
up the people to greater zeal and good works generally. 
Its effects are seen in many ways : in increased spiritual 
earnestness, in more regular attendance upon the services 
of the Lord's house, in more liberal gifts, and in the larger 
number offering themselves for work in the Master's vine- 
yard." 

At a meeting of the Women's Missionary Associa- 
tion, held after the close of the mission, twenty-five ladies 
at once offered themselves as new members and subscribers. 
A weekly service is now held on Wednesday evenings on 
the plan of the mission, and is highly successfol, and the 
attendance and interest are increasing. Many more resi- 
dents in the neighborhood attend the church than for- 
merly, especially those not having church connections else- 
where, and who at some time have been members of the 
Episcopal Church. 

A lady parishioner writes of the mission : " I think the 
Advent Mission has been a spiritual call to awaken the 
drowsy Christianity of the day. It has been a great benefit 



576 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

* 
to me, helping me to pray with more reverence, to be more 

earnest, and to keep the camp-fire of faith burning more 
brightly, so that others can see their way aright in the sur- 
rounding darkness of doubt and scepticism. I thank God 
that I was able to go to the meetings and to be a hearer of 
the Word, and to reap, in the added grace and strength of 
the Spirit, the harvest of such a privilege. May we never 
forget this opportunity of the divine blessing we have had, 
and go and bring forth much fruit for the Master's use !" 

" Witness, ye men and angels ; now 

Before the Lord we speak ; 
To Him we make our solemn vow, 

A vow we dare not break ; 
That, long as life itself shall last, 

Ourselves to Christ we yield ; 
Nor from His cause will we depart. 

Or ever quit the field." 



SPECIAL ADVENT SERMONS. hll 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

SPECIAL ADVENT SERMONS NOT TERMED A MISSION. 

Why did not Dr. Dunnell have a Mission ? — Visit All Saints* 
Churchy Corner of Henry and Scammell Streets — Canon 
Wilberforce Prostrated — E7ninent New York Rectors — Their 
Advent Sermons- — St. Chrysostoin s Chapel. 

In some of the mission chapels sustained by Trinity Par- 
ish the services during the year are a ** continuous mis- 
sion." Rev. William N. Dunnell, D.D., Rector of All 
Saints' Church, from Advent to Advent devotedly labors 
for the growth in grace of the regenerate and the rebirth 
of the uhregenerate. He did not have a formal " Ad- 
vent Mission," because his people could not meet the 
travelling expenses, etc., of an eloquent' foreign Mis- 
sioner, nor find any American clergyman who was able to 
leave his church to aid a zealous " Catholic Churchman." 
On several occasions the author preached special sermons 
in All Saints' Church, where the fervor of the Rector, 
and choristers, and people is inspiring. "At some fu- 
ture time the Rector may be able to obtain a Missioner to 
conduct a regular mission." The Noonday Mission in 
"Old Trinity" is evidence that the Rev. Drs. Dix, 
Swope, Mulcahey, Douglass, and others are in sym- 
pathy with the " Parochial Mission" movement. A few 
years ago Canon Knox Little held noonday services for 
men only in " Old Trinity," and on one occasion, after the 



578 l^HE CHURCH REVIVED. 

men had left the church, it was soon filled with " women 
only," the Missioner excepted. He also preached to a 
large congregation in the Church of the Holy Trinity, in 
Madison Avenue, and to a large congregation in St. 
George's Church, Stuyvesant Square. Had it been prac- 
ticable for the New York Advent Mission Committee to 
secure the services of the eminent English Missioners, 
Canon Wilberforce, Father Benson, Canon Knox Lit- 
tle, George Body, and others, more of the New York 
churches would gladly have welcomed them to preach 
to all who would obey the call, " Come to the mis- 
sion !" 

The Rev. Canon Wilberforce intended to accept the invi- 
tation of ** the Committee of Arrangements," but prostra- 
tion through overwork kept him in " Old England." The 
author heard him about two years ago at Dorking, Surrey. 
Though, like his renowned father, Bishop Wilberforce, 
he is very eloquent, he is also very humble. An example 
of his modesty : Before the time appointed for his arrival 
at Dorking he received one of the placards announcing 
that ** the eloquent Canon Wilberforce," at a certain date, 
would " deliver an oration." He at once wrote to the 
committee that if the objectionable notice should not be 
changed he would feel at liberty to cancel his agreement. 
His sincere desire was complied with. At the time ap- 
pointed the hall was uncomfortably crowded. He did, 
however, " deliver an oration" that was full of instruction, 
and pathos, and fervor. His soul seemed to be filled with 
" holy fire," which soon enkindled the fervor of his audi- 
ence. The author is sorry that we were not favored with 
his presence at the New York Advent Mission. As he was 
providentially detained, some said : '* The Lord's will be 
done ;" but on this side of the ocean all did not passively 
say : " Amen." 



SPECIAL ADVENT SERMONS. 579 

That Trinity Parish is not asleep is evident. The free 
use of " Old Trinity" was granted to Missioner Aitken, 
though not so high in Churchmanship ; and he preached 
therein for three weeks at noonday without " let or hin- 
drance." And, in addition, the following special Advent 
sermons were preached in one of the Trinity Church 
chapels. St. Chrysostom's Chapel is part of Trinity Par- 
ish, and situated in the midst of a dense population of 
working people, at the corner of Thirty-ninth Street and 
Seventh Avenue. Its doors are open on Sundays and on 
week-days. Rich and poor are welcomed to its public ser- 
vices on Sundays ; and at an)?^ hour during the week any 
person may enter to hold communion with God through 
private prayer. The seats are all free. The pastors in 
charge are the Rev. T. F. Sill and the Rev. J. R. L. Nis- 
bett. There was not an " Advent Mission" conducted by 
a Missioner, but special sermons were preached during the 
season of Advent, and the Holy Communion was cele- 
brated daily at 7 a.m. The pastors issued an Advent 
Pastoral to the people of St. Chrysostom's Chapel, which 
closed with the appeal : 

** Dear brethren, make diligent use of these and all other 
spiritual helps which the Lord in His providence and grace 
gives us. This Advent will be marked throughout our 
whole city by increased life and activity, the result, as it is 
hoped, of the first great Advent Mission of our Church in 
this city. • Let us pray that God's blessing may rest upon 
those parishes which enter into the mission, and, as for 
ourselves, let us use well all our own privileges, let us 
increase our own efforts after holiness, let us attend to the 
duties which press upon us, not ' neglecting the assembling 
of ourselves together ' at the daily Eucharist and the daily 
prayers, and on the Lord's day, being especially anxious 
as to our sincerity, devotion, and faithfulness. May God 



580 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

in His mercy, through Christ Jesus, stir us all up to new- 
ness of life ! 

" Affectionately your' pastors, 

" Thomas Henry Sill, 

"J. R. L. NiSBETT." 

The special Advent sermons were preached by the Rev. 
A. H. Warner, Rector of the Church of the Beloved Dis- 
ciple ; the Rev. Morgan Dix, D.D., Rector of Trinity 
Parish ; the Rev. William R. Huntingdon, D.D., Rector 
of Grace Church ; the Rev. A. G. Mortimer, Rector of St. 
Mary's Church, Castleton, S. I. ; the Rev. F. Lobdell, 
D.D., Rector of St. Andrew's Church, Harlem ; the Rev. 
S. F. Holmes, Rector of Trinity Church, Mount Vernon, 
N. Y., and the Rev. Amos T. Ashton, Rector of Trinity 
Church, Haverstraw, N. Y. 

THE CHAPEL OF ST. CHRYSOSTOM 

is supported by Trinity Church, and is characterized by 
great activity. Its working and beneficent agencies are : 
The Sunday-School Teachers* Association, the St. Chry- 
sostom's District Visiting Society, the Guild of St. Chry- 
sostom, the Guild of St. Agnes, the Altar Society, who 
have the care of the sanctuary, etc. ; Society for Making 
Improvements in Chapel Buildings, the Gymnasium and 
Billiard Room, St. Chrysostom's Chapel Dispensary, which 
includes the attending physician, who visits the sick at 
their homes ; the Guild of St. Barnabas, the Guild of St. 
Cyprian, the Guild of St. Margaret, a mutual benefit 
society for women ; the Prince Glee Club, to interest those 
once choir boys to eater as tenors and bassos ; the Women's 
Missionary Society, an auxiliary to the General Board of 
Missions of the Episcopal Church, and a Guild for Inter- 



SPECIAL ADVENT SERMONS. 581 

cessory Prayers. The various societies co-operate with the 
pastors in charge, give the members benevolent work to 
do, and impart aid to those in need, comfort to those in 
sorrow, and lead to Christ, the Light, those who are in 
moral darkness. 



I 



582 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

THE NOONDAY MISSION IN TRINITY CHURCH. 

Subjects of the Sermons — The Snares of Commercial Life — A 
Gambler Suddenly Converted — The Groiving Influence of the 
Services — The Curious Arts of Mammon — Bulling and Bear- 
ing — The Accommodating Grocer. 

Several months ago eminent Bishops and Presbyters 
and Laymen assembled in Trinity Church to celebrate with 
thanksgiving, prayers, and anthems of praise the centen- 
nial anniversary of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the 
United States. The historical sermon sketched her infancy, 
slow growth and progress, increasing strength and influ- 
ence, and compared what she once was with what she is 
now. 

But no event in her history may be compared with the 
wonderful degree of far-spreading and sympathetic interest 
incited by the Advent Mission in New York Episcopal 
Churches and the " Noonday Services for Business Men," in 
Trinity Church, Broadway. Shortly before noon her melo- 
dious bells pealed their musical signal that Missioner Akken 
would, in a few moments, sound faithful warnings to busi- 
ness men of every grade. And even on stormy days many 
members of stock exchanges, wholesale and retail mer- 
chants, bankers and brokers, insurance men, and as many 
clerks as could be spared for an hour from offices and 
stores, filed quickly but quietly into the capacious edifice. 
Before Trinity's clock had sounded the first of its twelve 



THE NOONDA V MISSION IN TRINITY CHURCH. 583 

vibrations, in every part of the church all the pews were 
filled, man)?^ stood in the aisles and porticos, and others 
filled the space behind the carved screen in front of the 
large organ gallery. While the Missioner offered a brief 
prayer, all who did not kneel for want of space reverently 
bowed forward, and two thousand voices in unison said, 
" Our Father, who art in Heaven," whose messenger they 
had assembled to hear. 

MISSIONER AITKEN's SERIES OF SERMONS. 

The first week's series — Monday, " Is Life Worth Liv- 
ing ?" Tuesday, "A Life that is not Worth Living." 
Wednesday, '* A Life that is Worth Living." Thursday, 
"What makes Life Worth Living?" Friday, "How to 
Live a Life Worth Living." Saturday, " Purity." Second 
week's series — Monday, " The Golden Image." Tuesday, 
" Moral Courage." Wednesday, " Curious Commercial 
Arts." Thursday, " Nemesis." Friday, " A Look to the 
End." Saturday, " Purity." The third week's series — 
Monday, " Snares in Commercial Life." Tuesday, " Other 
Snares of Commercial Life." Wednesday, "The Great 
Central Fact — Christ God Incarnate." Thursday, " The 
Gospel of Power." Friday, " Contrasted Closing Scenes." 
The subject on Monday, December 14th, was Temperance, 
and the sermon depicted the snares to which men exposed 
themselves through " the growing habit of tippling." 
The preacher said : " Is it alwa)^s easy to speak the truth 
plainly when you know it will give offence ? Is there no 
temptation to grind off its edge in order to suit the sensi. 
bilities of important members of your congregation ? Try 
and put yourself in the position of a clergyman, who feels 
strongly on the temperance question, and mourns over the 
wholesale destruction of his flock by the public houses of 
the neighborhood, and who is supported liberally in all his 



584 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

parochial churches and organizations by a wealthy brewer, 
who sits a few seats from the pulpit. Is there no danger 
of his being disposed to tone down the severity of his utter- 
ances on the temperance question, for fear he should 
offend the owner of the public houses, who are scattering 
death and destruction broadcast among his flock ?" On 
Tuesday, the 15th, the Missioner preached on 

THE SNARES OF COMMERCIAL LIFE. 

The sermon was based on i Tim. 6 : 9, 10. The preacher 
set forth that greed for riches leads to gambling ; that 
gambling leads to the worst forms of base selfishness ; that 
at ** gambling hells " victims are i:obbed of all they pos- 
sess, and. their families deprived of food and comfortable 
shelter ; that at Continental gambling hells suicide is of 
frequent occurrence ; that gambling is essentially wrong ; 
and that, to gratify cupidity, gamblers defy God's com- 
mand, " Thou shalt not covet," and all *' covetousness 
is idolatry." Only God's grace can lead men to forsake 
the gambling table. The preach.er frankly admitted that 
commercial speculation is not essentially wrong, even in 
a Christian man ; for no one can tell whether a mine will 
yield wealth or swallow all that a man possesses. Stocks 
are a marketable commodity ; and a broker is not immoral 
if he buy for others at a reasonable profit, but is like an 
honest storekeeper, who knows what profit to charge. Not 
so with speculation. Though not necessarily an act of 
gambling, the speculator's intense desire is to sell at a 
higher rate of profit. Yet a vast amount of gambling in 
various stocks is done, and some brokers have the spirit of 
a gambler's cupidity. 

According to the text, they who will be rich ensnare 
themselves. One serious consequence is that the plethora 
of middle men who manipulate stocks makes the market 



THE NOONDA Y MISSION IN TRINITY CHURCH. 585 

unhealthy. Some of them cannot do manual work ; deal- 
ing in merchandise is uncertain ; and they are not adapted 
for professional life, and through their peculiar modes of 
doing business the market is demoralized. The Christian 
man asks : " Where can I most likely transact my business 
for the glory of God ?"' The man who purchases when 
stocks are low is benefiting the community by preventing 
business stagnation. But in a large number of instances 
speculation degenerates into a species of commercial 
" book-making," and men, carried away by the '* bulls " or 
"bears" of the exchanges, excited by rumors, act like 
gamblers ! It is bad to be a common card-player, but 
worse to be a commercial card-sharper, and criminal to 
take advantage of an excited brother broker. " How would 
it work to boycott a ' Bull ' or a * Bear* guilty of decep- 
tion, and give him a wide berth as we do a rabid animal ?" 
The preacher earnestly entreated the business men pres- 
ent to set their faces against such abominable and in- 
famous tricks, and to die rather than to become engaged 
in such commercial trickery. Temptation to do so may 
be strong ; and so are the temptations to commit all 
sins. If a man makes up his mind to be rich, unless pos- 
sessed of superior moral power to enable him to resist 
temptation, sooner or later he will be ensnared ; but 
through divine aid a man may escape the snares of riches. 
The preacher closed his very plainly spoken sermon by 
tenderly exhorting the business man before him to seek 
this aid, which will enable him to keep a calm head amid 
commercial fluctuations and excitement. He who is in 
Christ Jesus, and a joint heir to His unsearchable riches, 
can afford to be outstripped by competition ; life to him is 
a continuous winning ; when Mammon tempts he can say : 
*' My God is ever to be trusted, and gives me something 
better." Lay hold of eternal life ; for no man ever fought 



586 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

the fight of faith who did not gain the victory. The 
preacher illustrated the power of God to suddenly save \>y 
referring to 

A GAMBLER IN MANCHESTER CONVERTED IN A MOMENT. 

Seeing two Christian ladies approaching his residence, 

he swore to himself, and locked the door of his room, in 

order to avoid them ; for he knew the object of their visit, 

and desired not to again listen to their earnest appeals to 

reform. He seemed to hear a voice, saying : ** How long 

shall I bear with thee ?" Instantly he prayed : " O God, 

if Thou wilt save me, save me now !" He experienced the 

power of the new life in Christ, and immediately started to 

settle all his gambling debts, and afterward would not 

even touch a card to pass with any friend " a pleasant 
hour." 

Evangelist Moody was among the ministers who were 

present at this service ; and at the daily services a number 

of clergymen of different persuasions mingled with the 

multitude of business men. Missioner Aitken's sermon on 

THE CURIOUS ARTS OF THE WORSHIPPERS OF MAMMON 

was based on Acts 19 : 20, which describes the converted 
magicians who burned their costly libraries on the mys- 
teries of Oriental magic. In a calm tone of voice the 
preacher showed that ancient idolators offered as sacrifices 
to their chosen idols what they most valued ; and that all 
had their mysteries as well as sacrifices ; and to-day all 
idolatries have both sacrifices and mysteries. In a louder 
lone he announced as the theme of his sermon : 

THE SACRIFICES INTELLIGENT MEN OFFER TO THEIR 
GOLDEN IDOL. 

They include (a) strict honesty, {b) a good conscience, 
{c) self-respect, id) their souls and bodies. Space excludes 



THE NOONDA V MISSION IN TRINITY CHURCH. 587 

the preacher's amplifications, and the author can give the 
reader only telegrams condensed from paragraphs. In an 
increasing volume of voice, and with great fervor, the 
preacher described the cunning arts and curious names of 
the mysteries of commerce. Cicero said he could not un- 
derstand how two soothsayers could meet each other with- 
out laughing, knowing their mutual tricks to deceive men. 
With great emphasis the preacher said : " This is as true of 
the worshippers of Mammon as of the most subtle pagan 
priests who deceived by their mysteries." The chicaneries 
of Mammon's priests should lead them to despise them- 
selves. They talk of the " humbugs of religion " ; but the 
transactions of stock exchanges are as full of " humbug " 
as ever existed among magicians. Their curious arts have 
curious names, ** Bulls and Bears " ; and their ritual of 
worship is called " Bulling and Bearing !" 

Mammon's priests delight to excite untruthful and un- 
natural emotions of prosperity ; then, by curious conjunc- 
tion, to sink the worshippers into the deepest depression ! 
Prices must vary ; but whoever makes a fortune for him- 
self by ruining other men has a fashionable but ungentle- 
manly way of picking pockets ! The tramp does a brisk 
trade in pocket-handkerchiefs and watches ; and, because 
he is a poor thief, a policeman drags him to a place of safety 
in a cell with iron doors. But ** the thieving priests of 
Mammon are also liars !" *' So far as any broker or mer- 
chant is a liar, he is not a true business man ; but so far 
as he deals honestly he is a true man of business." To 
show the difference between commercial ability and 
rapacity, the preacher now uses his great descriptive 
power, and depicts two different business men, and con- 
trasts their opposite modes of dealing. The one throws 
dust into his confiding customer's eyes, and is skilled in 
doing a very large business, by selling what has a name, 



588 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

but no existence. The other isamost obliging tradesman ; 
and, that his customers may not waste their money, he 
pretends to sell the goods they want '' below cost." Even 
if Mr. Smith can undermine the business of Mr. Jones by 
the actual loss of money now, and break it down, after Mr. 
Jones shall have been forced into bankruptcy, then Mr. 
Smith can regain the sum he lost by monopolizing for him- 
self all the trade Mr. Jones once had. The preacher now 
emphatically affirms that " a man had better sweep a. cross- 
ing to earn an honest living than to be a rich but mean, 
plotting thief." 

ACCOMMODATING MERCHANTS. 

" In certain stores,'' the preacher said, ** the same article 
is sold at six different prices !" To illustrate the truthful- 
ness of this affirmation, he narrated that a certain tea- 
dealer in England who bought all his tea from one whole- 
sale merchant, all of the same quality and price, to kindly 
provide for the different tastes of his customers, who pre- 
ferred teas of various flavors, placed samples of the same 
tea in canisters with different names, and samples of the 
same in his shop-window, with the names and prices. One 
sample was marked " Young Hyson, four shillings per 
pound ;" another, " Souchong, three-and-sixpence per 
pound ;" another, " Mixed, two-and-eightpence per 
pound;" another, " Bohea, two shillings per pound." 
Yet he bought the whole at one shilling and eightpence 
per pound, and, to accommodate his customers, gave the 
same kind of tea various names. In a tone of commingling 
disgust and sorrow and awe the preacher asks : " How 
must such necromantic tricks and deeds of cunning look to 
Him before whom we must all stand to be judged accord- 
ing to our deeds ?" 

** When the Judge His seat attaineth, 
Nothing unavenged remaineth." 



THE NOONDA V MISSION IN TRINITY CHURCH. 589 



THE RESEMBLANCE OF IDOLATORS TO THEIR IDOLS. 

The courageous Missioner affirmed that as idolaters are 
gradually transformed into the likeness of whatever sinful 
idol they worship, {a) in self-respect, (B) propriety, [c) 
moral courage, their character deteriorates, until, like 
pagan idolators, they become both degraded and polluted. 
In an imploring tone the preacher says : " Men of busi- 
ness, will you choose between your curious arts and your 
soul's welfare —between God and Mammon? Will you 
choose the love of God and the victor's palm or the hidden 
things of darkness ? The magicians burned their books, 
worth about $40,000, but they did not regret the loss, for 
they knew that they had found in Christ * unsearchable 
riches.' " 

In a tender tone the preacher referred to the sudden 
death of Vanderbilt, the prince of wealth, and said c 
" We speak only of the good of the dead. You can never 
be richer than he ! If his gold was all that he had, then 
all is lost ! If wealth is all that any of you can gain, you 
must die and leave it all ! Should death remove you to- 
night, can you say : * I have a treasure death cannot 

touch'?" 

The preacher, roused to a high degree of earnestness, 
with swelling emotion almost choking his powers of 
speech, in a plaintive, wailing tone beseeches worship- 
pers of Mammon and the officiating priests to forsake 
the curious arts of the destroyer. Hearts are moved, strong 
men tremble, tears dim the eyes ! For one or two seconds 
the preacher is speechless ; and then, with words of love 
and power, he closes the sermon, not intended for the jug- 
glers of India or Egypt. Like Jonah and John the Bap- 
tist, the preacher's mission requires him to speak very 
plainly. Each minister, like St. Paul, should pray for 



590 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

grace to ** speak boldly as he ought to speak ;" and 
sing: 

" Shall I for fear of feeble man, 
The Spirit's course in me restrain? 
Or, undismayed in deed and word, 
Be a true witness for my Lord ? 
What, then, is he whose scorn I dread, 
Whose wrath or hate makes me afraid ? 
A man — an heir of death, 
A slave to sin, a bubble on the wave !" 



MISSIONER AITKEN'S FARE WELL SERMON. 591 



CHAPTER XXX. 

MISSIONER AITKEN's FAREWELL SERMON IN OLD TRINITY. 

The Rt. Rev. H, C. Rotter, D.D. — The Missioner Grateful to 
the Rev. Dr. Dix — Going in Opposite Directions— A Prodigal 
So?i — His Painful Confession — Appalling Disclosures — The 
Audience Deeply Moved. 

The Rt. Rev. H. C. Potter, D.D., is in the chancel, also 
the Rector of St. George's Church and other clergymen ; 
and all the stalls are filled with laymen. Missioner Aitken 
is in the pulpit, and all the pews in the aisles and naves are 
crowded, as are also the entrances and the porticos. After 
the thanksgiving service Bishop Potter, with his radiant 
face, walks to the centre of the chancel, and in melodious 
tones delivers an address. He referred to the great bless- 
ing that many in New York have received through Mis- 
sioner Aitken's faithful ministrations, and his own personal 
regret that he must so soon leave us. As an expression of 
appreciation of his services, the Bishop proposed that an 
offertory be made and presented to " The Church of Eng- 
land Parochial Mission Society, of which the Rev. W. Hay 
Aitken is the President." During the receiving of the 
offertory the whole congregation poured forth a volume of 
hearty praise ; and after a brief prayer Missioner Aitken 
expressed his gratitude to the Rector and clergy of Trinity 
Church for the welcome they had given him, and for the 
use of the church. 

The farewell sermon was deeply impressive, and was 



592 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

based on two contrasting texts — " He went away sorrow- 
ful" (St. Matt. 19 : 22) ; " He went on his way rejoicing " 
(Acts 8 : 39). The preacher preached as if possessed of the 
spirit of the Prophet Elijah. As he spoke of the moment 
of parting from some until the day of judgment, and, after 
the day of final destiny, from others forever and ever, his 
voice was tremulous with conflicting emotions, and his eyes 
were suffused with tears. He depicted the contrast be- 
tween the decision of " the rich young man " mentioned in 
his first text, and that of the sable Ethiopian mentioned in 
his second text, and the opposite emotions each experi- 
enced as they went different ways, showing that no con- 
trasts are sadder than those in the spiritual realm. His 
face brightens as he describes those to whom the noonday 
mission would be the " savor of life unto life," but is the 
picture of sadness as he depicts the future of others to 
whom his preaching will be " the savor of death unto 
death," and his tone is a subdued, plaintive wail; and 
some considered stoical cannot restrain their tears. Now 
he prays, " O God forbid, God forbid, that the outcome of 
the three weeks' services should result in your refusal to 
take hold of the mighty hand of mercy now offering to lift 
you above yourself, and out of the snares of the devil !" 
Now, in an imploring tone, he beseeches his hearers to de- 
cide to fall into the arms of the Omnipotent God, and to 
forsake the sins which are damning them ! If convinced 
that Mammon is God, decide henceforth to follow him. If 
assured that Christ is God, accept and follow Him. Don't 
hesitate, but decide now. Mercy is once more offered. 
Will you accept it ? Say yes or no ! Are you willing to 
accept Divine strength now that will enable you to hence- 
forth face the contempt of men and dare the Devil and 
reach the realms of bliss ? 



MISSIONER AITKEN'S FAREWELL SERMON. 593 



THE AUDIENCE MOVED BY AWFUL DISCLOSURES. 

Before closing his sermon the Missioner read extracts 
from a letter of an extraordinary nature. The letter is 
in the possession of the author of " The Church Revived," 
but he has allowed no person to read it, lest the writing be 
recognized, which might embarrass the writer, whose rea- 
sons for withholding his signature is contained in his letter. 
The following extracts might be useful in checking the evils 
specified : 

" New York, December 15, 1885. 

" My dear Sir : In your sermon of Saturday last on ' Purity ' you 
properly denounced. . . . The extent of the evil is apparent in ... . 
Such men, however, do not frequent your services. But the mature and. 
elderly commercial men among your hearers deserve your biting sarcasm 
and your burning words on two especial points, and perhaps of easily be- 
setting sins, of which possibly you are unaware. One is, the toleration 
of so-called . . . stories . . . jokes, and profanity in their presence and. 
hearing, and in many cases the repetition of such stories and jokes when 
it can be done sub rosa to congenial spirits, though careful not to give 
their author's name. This frequently in the presence of young clerks, 
who father them and redistribute them with avidity. 

" The ' clubs ' are reservoirs of this sort of ... , and some clubmen 
even pride themselves of their memories of such trash or their skill in 
inventing fresh blackguardisms, A new story quickly has the run of the 
down-town offices and counting-houses, particularly if the characters in- 
troduced or traduced are persons of social or political importance. If 
you were aware of the prevalence of this vice you would certainly rebuke 
it as it deserves, and your words would have most excellent effect on hun- 
dreds of merchants, bankers, and brokers who have listened to you ; and 
3^our denunciations would be most efficacious even with those who are 
not strictly religious men. 

"The other sin perhaps I can best describe by my own experience : 
From the age of fifteen years to thirty-seven I was employed as clerk and 
traveller in some of the largest wholesale houses. Such houses have 
connections or customers in all the large cities and centres of trade through 
this broad land. The customers occasionally or periodically visit New 
York. They are usually men of middle or mature age, of sound com- 



594 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

mercial standing, and frequently of social, pecuniary, or political (and 
even Churchly) consideration in their several localities. When they 
*■ come on ' it is a part of the duties of the young scion of the house to 
* entertain ' them. 

" The entertainment consists usually of a half dozen to a dozen * drinks ' 
during and immediately after business hours, a big dinner, with neces- 
sary claret or champagne ; the theatres in the evening, and visits to * fast 
houses ' afterward, with suppers, dancing, and other orgies till the wee 
hours. From the time I had learned ' the ways of town ' (say twenty to 
twenty-one years) until I was married at thirty-seven this was a part of 
my * duties.' So important a matter was it considered, that in one house 
I was ordered to keep $ioo constantly in my pocket for such * entertain- 
ment," and in another house the cashier was directed to pay me whatever I 
asked for without question, and charge it to the * advertising account ' ! 
You can readily imagine what disgraceful scenes a young man must wit- 
ness in the performance of such a line of duty ; and my astonishment at 
first to know that men of high respectability in their own homes would 
come to New York, and accept or look for such sort of ' entertainment. 
Men who were proverbially close and mean in matter of trade, sometimes 
penurious in family matters, would throw away money by the fifties and 
hundreds. . . . This man had in his own city given $50,000 10 a Pres- 
byterian Church, $1000 to an Episcopal Church, and $io,oco more to a 
Methodist. 

*' Now, the mature and elderly gentlemen who preside over our great 
mercantile establishments presume to know nothing about this style of 
entertainment to their correspondents, and certainly would never furnish 
it themselves. Yet they all know it is done, and are willing to pay well 
to have it done, finding their return in the increased business brought by 
the young salesman. 

** The results upon the salesman are something like the following items 
of my own personal acquaintances : A. A., now about forty-five years of 
age, in Trenton, N. J., Lunatic Asylum ; B. B. died at the age of forty- 
two years with delirium tremens, four children paupers ; C. C. suicide 
at thirty-eight, in California ; D. D. pensioner at fifty-seven years, $2 
per week in ' the house ' ; E. E. married a . . . , and died ... at the age 
of forty-three ; F. F. broken-down old man, doing chores for a bar- 
room ; G.G. had lived for years on charity of a maiden sister — suicide 
last month. 

" Every one of these men earned over $5000 a year as salary. So you 
may judge that they were the very flower of the young mercantile men of 



r 



MISSIONER AITKEN S FARE WELL SERMON. 595 

these days ; and I could give you like specimens of dozens of others who 
were industrious, genial, generous young men, though not earning so 
large salaries, gone to the hospital, the almhouse, the grave through rum 
. . . used to promote the success of 'the house.' In fact, it is the 
young men who possess the biggest hearts, the most generous impulses, 
the most genial natures, and the quickest perceptions, both in trade 
and in humor, that are most likely to get these so-called best positions 
and most liable to succumb to the inevitable pitfalls of their ' duties.' I 
see many, many, both young and old men, at your services to whom 
your words of caution, warning, and advice on the two sins I have men- 
tioned would be a veritable benediction. If you have an opportunity, 
please — oh, please, speak out to them ! . . . I hesitate to sign my name, 
and though I despise an anonymous letter, I cannot sign this, for 1 might 
chance to meet you, and could not bear to look you in the face if I knew 
that you knew some of the shameful years of my life. 

" ' How did I escape ?' perhaps you ask, sir. * Time sets all things 
even ; ' ' what comes over the Devil's back will go over the Devil's . . .' 
I have not escaped — property wasted and gone, a premature old age, 
an intellect so benumbed that I can now write no better letter than this, 
on so important a theme, trying to get some comfort from your words, 
trying to be a better man, but finding it so hard — so hard, waiting to 
join a pious father and mother beyond, who I know will welcome a 

" Prodigal Son." 

The Missioner while reading the extracts suffered from 
suppressed agony of spirit, and many of his hearers sighed 
and wept as they listened to the awful disclosures made as 
a warning to merchants guilty of this custom. The 
preacher implored that no hearer henceforth play more 
tricks with his conscience lest it become seared ; nor sell 
his soul to Satan to increase his business. " Some of you 
have made money enough hereafter to support you, and 
others have enough to destroy you." He described how 
Zacharias, after he had made restitution of what he had 
taken wrongfully, was loved by those to whom he had re- 
stored it, with fourfold interest ; and again alluded to the 
contrast between the rich young man, who went away from 
Christ " sorrowful," and the Ethiopian Treasurer of Can- 



\ 



596 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

dace, who was baptized in His name, and went his way 
with holy rapture bounding in his heart, probably occa- 
sionally falling, but rising again to fight nobly the good 
fight of faith. After asking, " Shall this be the result of 
this mission to you ?" the preacher said : " I wish you all 
a happy Christmas— happy because your sins have been 
buried in the Saviour's tomb ; and that you may be hap- 
pier and happier until, through the Lord Jesus Christ, you 
merge into the fulness of joy in God's everlasting king- 
dom." After prayer by the Missioner, the Bishop pro- 
nounced the benediction. " Rock of Ages" was sung, fol- 
lowed by the doxology, and the wonderful noonday mis- 
sion was ended. 



SER VICES FOR PROMO TION OF GRA CE. 597 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

MORNING SERVICES FOR PROMOTION OF GROWTH IN GRACE. 

Early Celebratio7i of the Holy Communion — Services for the Pro- 
motion of Holiness — Services for Women only — " Who is Mrs, 
Crouch ?' ' — The After-meetings — Inquiry Meetings — Private 
Interviews. 

To promote consecration to Christ, " the means of 
grace" were appointed ; and during the mission the Holy 
Communion was celebrated daily early in the morning. 

An unusual number of persons could not be expected 
at the celebration at 8 o'clock a.m. Yet the Missioners 
and Rectors were cheered by the number who made it con- 
venient to be present. The Communion service vividly 
reminded the communicants that Christ's voluntary offer- 
ing of Himself in their behalf made a full, perfect, and 
sufficient sacrifice for all their sins, and the consecrated 
bread and wine, to all who duly received the holy symbols, 
were an assurance of His favor and goodness, and their 
heirship of His everlasting kingdom ; and many who had 
cherished doubts concerning their acceptance by God, at the 
Holy Table their doubts departed, as in the case of the 
mother of the Wesleys and the Rev. Dr. Adam Clark, who, 
while partaking of the Holy Communion for the first time, 
felt conscious of their peace with God through Jesus Christ. 
In the brief addresses at the early celebrations the impor- 
tance and benefits of this Sacrament were set forth with 
different degrees of emphasis. And at this consecration 
service of the Episcopal Church, many, doubtless, resolved 



598 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

to reconsecrate themselves to Christ and His service, and, 
through presenting body and soul to be a living sacrifice 
unto God, were filled with His grace and heavenly bene- 
diction. 

NOONDAY SERVICES FOR THE PROMOTION OF HOLINESS. 

Domestic and commercial duties would not permit all to 
attend who desired to be present. The attendance at the 
daily noonday services in churches in the vicinity of " per- 
sons of leisure' ' greatly cheered the Missioners and Rectors. 
The addresses that followed the short Liturgical services 
were designed to impress Christians concerning their great 
spiritual privileges, and to induce them to no longer mope 
and groan and complain at the bottom of Zion's hill, but, 
by Divine aid, to ascend to the summit, enjoy soul sun- 
shine, obtain Pisgah views of the glories awaiting them, 
receive foretastes of the rest of Paradise, and live on earth 
the life of heaven. They were assured that this spiritual ex- 
altation was not to be attained by exclusively seeking bless- 
ings for themselves, and that they must also labor for the 
welfare of others, by imitating the Saviour, whose feet 
walked on errands of mercy. His hands dispensing bless- 
ings, His lips uttering benedictions, and who found His 
meat and drink in doing the Father's will. Mr. Betts, one 
of the Missioners at St. Mary the Virgin, at one of the 
daily services, said : " It is a mistake for any one to imagine 
that New York is not, to a great extent, a religious com- 
munity. New faces are seen at all the services, and the 
large congregations are an assurance that the mission has 
taken hold of the public mind and heart." 

AFTERNOON SERVICES FOR WOMEN ONLY. 

At missions in England eminent ladies leave their man- 
sions to aid the Missioners by conducting the afternoon 



SERVICES FOR PROMOTION OF GRACE. 599 

services for women only, and also by conversing with 
women who remain at the after-meetings in the evening. 
At the mission last year, held in London, the services for 
women only in St. Stephen's Church, Westminster, were 
conducted by Lady Elizabeth Biddulph, who is a member 
of Queen Victoria's household. Mrs. Crouch, who is the 
widow of a Church-of-England clergyman, a devoted and 
eminently useful Christian worker, crossed the ocean, and 
since her arrival has conducted " services for women 
only" at the missions held by the Rev. Mr. Aitken, in 
Newburgh, N. Y., St. Luke's, Brooklyn, L. L, Trinity 
Church, Newark, N. J., and in St. George's Church, New 
York City. Also at the mission in Nashville and New 
Orleans. 

The farewell services for women were fully attended, and 
Mrs. Crouch was surrounded by many women, who assured 
her that they could never forget the friend who had led 
them to the knowledge of Christ, their Saviour. 

THE USEFULNESS OF THE AFTER-MEETINGS. 

At a mission the author urged the Rector to give notice 
that he would be glad to see any persons who desired 
private spiritual conversation. He forgot to do so, but 
said : " If the people have been impressed by the mission, 
the impression will keep !" The results of the mission 
were " not satisfactory." 

At another mission the Rector was informed that on 
the previous evening the Missioner had asked a gentleman, 
" Do you love the Saviour?" and the question had kept 
him awake during the night ! The Rector soothed him 
saying: " The mission was not designed to disturb peo- 
ple !" 

At a mission in Canada a large number remained during 
the after-meeting. The clergy present stood in the chancel, 



600 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

wondering what they ought to do. The next morning the 
Rector kindly said : " I have difficult work to keep my 
people harmonious. The after-meeting last night disturbed 
some of them. One of them said : ' Very soon Christian 
women will walk from pew to pew, asking the occupant, 
** Are you a Christian ?" ' " Not to disturb the harmony, 
the Missioner did not give notice that the sermon would be 
followed by an after-meeting. For the Rector's sake, he 
did not give his reason for the omission. 

Archdeacon Farrar very truly says: "I will tell you 
what is slavery, and slavery of the most crushing kind, . . . 
and that is the slavery of the minister to the people on 
whom he depends for bread." 

Where the Rector is too timid, and does not throw his 
whole heart and soul into the work of the after-meeting, 
he is not likely to find the results " satisfactory." One 
object of a mission is "to make the people more spiritual- 
minded ;" and if this be not done the Rector will lose his 
hold upon his flock. 

AN ENGLISH CLERGYMAN, OF THE " FLAT AND SLEEPY SCHOOL," 

said to another : " I would not advise you to have a mis- 
sion in your parish ; a few years ago I had a mission ; 
about seventeen people professed to be converted, and 
what was the sequel ? They all very soon left me !" At 
a clerical meeting this same clergyman was discoursing 
on Missioners, and said : " I possess, myself, the most re- 
markable faculty for sending people to sleep." This ad- 
mission caused all the clergy present to break forth into 
inextinguishable laughter. 

The seventeen who were awakened through the mission, 
not desiring more oratorical anodynes and spiritual slum- 
ber, left the soothing Rector who confessed that he pos- 
sessed this most remarkable faculty. 



SERVICES FOR PROMOTION OF GRACE. 601 

A letter from Missioner Aitken urges the author to em- 
phasize " the importance of the after-meeting." 

Had the Missioners dispensed with the after-meetings, 
they would have resembled fishermen casting their nets 
into fishing waters, but not afterward drawing them into 
their boats or on the shore, to gather and assort the fish 
therein. At the after-meetings the impressions made by 
the sermons of the wise Gospel fishermen were deepened 
by an " instruction " or " meditation," based on the ser- 
mon, and equally solemn, but less formal. To converse 
with each who had been impressed, the Missioner and Rec- 
tor passed from pew to pew. 

Some were perplexed by doctrinal difficulties, which the 
Missioner or Rector endeavored to remove'. Others had 
cherished doubts and fears ; but were told that distrust dis- 
honors God ; and some who had doubts bade them to 
"depart." Some had long attempted to do something 
to merit salvation, and learned that whatever was meritori- 
ous was done by their Saviour ; some of them resolved to 
accept pardon as sinners, and not as saints. Others were 
on the borders of despair through the flagrant character of 
their sin and guilt, and were told that Christ died to save 
the chief of sinners, and through him God absolves all who 
truly repent and believe. Some entertained the view that 
sudden conversions are unreliable, and that they must 
gradually cease from sinning ; but were told that the present 
is God's acceptable time, and, like David, they should 
" delay not," but " make haste to keep God's command- 
ments." Others had brought reproach upon Christ's 
Church through indulgence in worldly pleasures, and had 
practically denied Him ; but the Missioner or Rector assured 
them that the loving Saviour who forgave the unfaithful- 
ness of Peter would freely forgive them. Persons who 
were too timid to go to a minister for special advice were 



602 THE CHURCH REVIVED, 

willing to quietly converse with the Missioner or Rector 
who went from pew to pew. In some of the churches 
clergymen conversed with the men, and Christian women 
with the women, and the special nature of some of the con- 
versations will not be disclosed. While they went from 
pew to pew, successive appropriate hymns, announced by 
the Missioner, were sung in subdued tones, the people 
generally kneeling ; and occasionally prayer was quietly 
offered by the clergy in behalf of persons in the pews whom 
they had instructed. 

AFTER-MEETINGS OF ANOTHER KIND. 

In some of the churches the after-meeting consisted of an 
•* instruction," not followed by personal conversation in 
the pews. At the Church of the Incarnation Missioner 
Ransford gave his instruction while standing in the pulpit. 
At other churches the Missioner exhorted the people, and 
while doing so walked very slowly down the aisles, looking 
into the faces of the people, first on one side and then on 
the opposite side. Missioner Warren gave his instruction 
standing where he had preached his sermon. At the close 
of his hortatory address he commenced a hymn, and com- 
mented on its import. One evening he requested the peo- 
ple to sing the hymn commencing " Just as I am, without 
one plea." Before each successive verse was sung he ex- 
plained what its declaration signified. Before the verse, 
*' Just as I am, Thou wilt receive," he said : ** As it is not 
right to sing a lie, I desire that only those who really be 
lieve this will sing it, and that those who do not will be 
silent." After the verse had been sung he said : " I am 
glad that so many could truthfully sing it, and also glad 
that so many did not ; for this was a sign of moral candor. 
But those of you who could sincerely sing it will now sing 
the same verse again, but change the tense, and sing : 



SERVICES FOR PROMOTION OF GRACE. 603 

" ' Just as I am, Thou hast received, 

Hath welcomed, pardoned, cleansed, relieved : 
Because Thy promise I believed, 
O, Lamb of God, I came !' " 

He then commented on each succeeding verse, after which 
they heartily sang it. 

WRITTEN REQUESTS FOR SPECIAL BLESSINGS. 

At some of the churches a box was placed near the inner 
wall of the entrance door to receive the letters containing 
requests for mercies. At the Church of the Heavenly Rest 
Missioner Pigou requested those who intended to place 
letters therein not to sign their names, as the requests 
would be read at a special prayer-meeting, and answers 
implored. During the mission a very large number were 
received, and fervent prayers offered that God would 
graciously answer them if in accordance with His Holy 
Will and the welfare of those for whom special blessings 
were desired. 

Missioners who are called ** ritualistic " gave public 
notice that at appointed hours they would confer with per- 
sons who desired to see them for " confession or instruc- 
tion." At other churches Missioners gave public notice 
that the Missioner, Rector, and the assistant clergy would 
be ready to meet at the appointed hours persons who de- 
sired to confer with any of them concerning spiritual mat- 
ters. If persons confessed that they had grievously sinned, 
and named particular sins, the clergy listened to them, and 
gave them plain advice, as did the Missioners and other 
clerg}?- who held a similar " private interview," but called 
it a " private interview for confession or instruction." At 
such interviews, held by each class of clergymen, many 
burdened souls found relief ; despairing ones were cheered ; 
the sin-fettered faithfully warned ; and some, who had long 



604 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

had dim views of how to believe and be saved, were led to 
see the way to life through Christ the Door, and said : " I 
now see it," and, with a brightened face, exclaimed : " My 
Saviour !" As all difficulties in the mind are not removed 
b}'" sermons from the pulpit, the " after-meetings," " in- 
quiry-meetings," and " private interviews " are essential 
and useful in connection with a mission. 

At the University in Edinburgh, Scotland, the author 
was present at a recitation conducted by Professor Blaikie. 
He is very nervous, but very learned, and not gracious 
toward students who neglect to make preparation for " a 
good recitation." In a letter from this eminent Scotch 
Divine, published in the New York Observer., and copied by 
discerning editors of other religious papers. Dr. Blaikie, 
speaking of the growing religious interest in religion in the 
Universities, and of the offer made to the Foreign Mission- 
ary Committee of the Free Church by the Hon. Ion Keith- 
Falconer, son of the late Earl of Kintore, to go as mission- 
ary to the Mohammedans at Aden — he is a distinguished 
Arabic scholar and a graduate of Cambridge, and wishes 
to put his special training to service for the cause of the 
Master — Dr. Blaikie said : " Never before did there seem 
to be, among young men and young women, such a sense 
of their obligation to turn their lives to good account, and 
not allow conventionalities of any kind to stand in the way 
of their doing so. 

** It has not been the keen sense of sin and misery, as 
in many revival movements. At the time of life when, like 
a patrimony placed in their hands, their lives have been at 
their disposal, ready to be given to what promised best, 
they have heard the voice of Christ saying : " Follow Me." 
The blessedness, the glory, the purity, the peace of such a 
life and such a service have been brought home to them by 
a power divine. They have made up their minds to attach 



SERVICES FOR PROMOTION OF GRACE. 605 

themselves to Christ and follow Him. Conscious of weak- 
ness, of disorder, of many sinful lusts and passions, they 
have thrown their hearts open to the Holy Ghost, for light, 
guidance, and strength. To many of us it seems that a 
movement in which there is not a fuller recognition of the 
guilt of sin and the atoning efficacy of the blood of Christ 
has an element of weakness fitted to give rise to some 
anxiety. Yet there are such manifest tokens of genuine- 
ness about it that one's hopes cannot but greatly transcend 
one's fears. 

" We do not see why the operations of the Divine Spirit 
should be viewed with any ' anxiety.' After all, there is 
no sweeter, more precious word in all the experience of the 
Christian life than consecration. When the Christian heart 
reaches that, it is not important to ask too curiously about 
the steps that led to it. A life given to the service of 
Christ is its own evidence. By their fruits ye shall know 
them. Experiences differ. . . . We are not to ask from 
the young University student, brought up under the best 
restraints of a Christian household, the same depth of de- 
spairing repentance as marked the experience of John New- 
ton, the converted slave-trader." 



e06 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

THE SPECIFIC OBJECT OF MISSION PREACHERS. 

The Bewildered Tourist — Dangerous Precipices — Brinks of 
Moral Danger — Missioners not Ranters — How to truly Bepeni 
and Come to Christ — Doctrinal Character of Mission Sermons, 

The reader who has climbed the Alpine mountains is 
aware that near a dangerous pass there is a friendly hos- 
pice. To whoever knocks its door is instantly opened, and 
a monk with beaming face bids the stranger " Welcome." 
Soon he is introduced to several monks who are chatting 
merrily before a blazing fire. While warming his chilled 
limbs he concludes that the joyful monks lead a very pleas- 
ant life, and have nothing to disturb them. But suddenly 
they look anxious, and arise from their seats, and in unison 
give a loud whistle ! What ! is this a branch of the In- 
quisition ? In obedience to the whistles' summons a num- 
ber of panting dogs arrive. 

BLACK AND SPREADING CLOUDS DARKEN THE SKY. 

Winds howl angrily, and snowflakes are falling. Through 
the blinding storm some venturesome tourists have lost their 
way. That they may not stumble over the adjacent preci- 
pice, lie buried in the snow, and sleep " the sleep that 
knows no waking," the monks and their faithful dogs 
bravely face the storm to guide the tourist who has lost his 
way to the friendly hospice, which without a guide he 



SPECIFIC OBJECT OF MISSION PREACHERS. 607 

cannot find. Near brilliantly lighted churches many souls 
are in danger of perishing. They have wandered too far 
away from the means of grace to find them unaided. 

TO SAVE FROM ETERNAL DESTRUCTION. 

Devoted Missioners co-operate with Rectors in facing the 
storms of worldliness and prejudice, in order to rescue the 
Christless from the way to destruction. To benefit poor, 
homeless, and neglected folk, lift up those who are cast 
down, mightily strive to save the lost/ and benefit all sorts 
and conditions of men, they cry : " We will guide you to 
the mission, and tell you how to come to Christ for ever- 
lasting life. " Rectors who have heretofore feared to invite 
Missioners to aid them, through fear that a mission may 
produce excitement and be followed by reaction to slumber 
or indifference, 

NOW WELCOME MISSIONERS 

to aid them in seeking lost and wandering sheep. But as 
if '* quiet " at mission services were an old idol to be still 
adored, Rectors in unison have testified that the Missioners 
preached in harmony with man's mental and moral consti- 
tution ; and as the peace of God flows into the soul 
through belief of truth, ** as the truth is in Jesus," the ser- 
mons set before the intellect what is truthful and desirable, 
that the heart may love it, and appealed to the will to both 
choose and obey it. Because mere appeals not based on 
the " doctrine of Christ" are useless to move men to re- 
pent, and believe and obey the Gospel, the Missioners 
specified what true repentance is, and what must be be- 
lieved in order to be saved. And before appealing to sin- 
ners to " come to Christ," they held before the eye of the 
intellect His loveliness ; explained w^hat "coming to Christ" 
embraces ; the mode of approach ; and what all who truly 



608 THE VHURCH REVIVED. 

come to Christ receive in this present life — the foretastes of 
the blessings of the life to come. 

THE DOCTRINAL CHARACTER OF MISSION SERMONS. 

Missioners do not descant respecting the velocity of the 
power of flight by cherubim and seraphim ; the radiant 
tints of the angels' wings ; the psychology of the Divine 
love ; the geologic nature of the new earth ; nor did any 
take astronomic observations of the inhabitants of distant 
planets ; but with various degrees of force and clearness 
different Missioners set forth the fundamental doctrines of 
the Gospel. They reasoned concerning God's law of 
righteousness, self-control, or continence ; the certainty of 
the Day of Judgment ; and that all men must stand before 
the Righteous Judge, quailing or rejoicing. The nature of 
true repentance or conversion ; the judicial act of God in 
the sinner's justification ; sanctification by the Holy Ghost ; 
the qualifications for glorification ; man's accountability, 
as illustrated by the parable of the talents ; the Lord's sen- 
tence of censure to the talent waster, but of approval and 
award to the talent improvers ; the nature and duration of 
graduated reward and penalty, etc. And many of the 
mission sermons were not only doctrinal and exegetical, 
but contained lucid illustrations of the power of the Gospel 
and of Christianity in living action. Missioner Pigou em- 
phasized the necessity for having confidence in the Unseen, 
just as we trust to the superior knowledge of the physician 
during illness. The "agnostic" and the " positivist " 
question everything. Society must have faith, or it will 
fall to pieces. You trust a letter to the post. In theology 
there is the same trust in the message of God that you show 
in leaving the letter to the mail. It is by your faith that 
you will be saved. And if you have faith yourself, have 
you ever tried to make other hearts better for it? Have 



SPECIFIC OBJECT OF MISSION PREACHERS. 609 

you given them of your faith ? And are you sure your 
hope of salvation will bear the test if you are summoned ' 
before the Eternal throne to-night ? 

THE MISSIONERS RESEMBLE AN ORCHESTRA, 

each Missioner having a different instrument, but each con- 
tributing to its harmony. All are characterized by different 
degrees of excellence. Some of them are talented Rectors 
of churches in the United States and in Canada, and have 
the ability to become eminent Missioners. Others have 
had a larger and longer experience. No two of them 
are alike as preachers. The sermons of all indicate how 
fully they realize that a mode of sermonizing appropriate 
and efficient for generations of men now buried would be 
powerless to move the intensely active and impatient gener- 
ation now living ; that they must keep up with the times 
in respect to increasing knowledge, and also adopt the best 
modes of imparting it. Definiteness of aim, and adapta- 
tion to different classes of saints and sinners, characterized 
the sermons of the Missioners. To the regenerate they 
preach sermons of growth in grace, but to the unregener- 
ate, who have no grace, to come at once to Christ for life. 



610 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 

ORATORICAL GIFTS OF THE MISSIONERS. 

The most Successful Preachers — The Source of Pulpit Power — 
The Rev. R. B. Ransford — The Rev. E. W. Warren — The 
Very Rev. Dean Hart — The Rev. G. R. Van De Water — ■ 
The Rev. Mr. Thompson — The Rev. J, Stephens — The 
Rev. W. H. Aitken, M.A. 

In a lecture by the Rev. Joseph Cook, delivered in Tre- 
mont Temple, Boston, he showed that the best preacher 
does not speak, but is spoken through.* The most effective 
preaching consists not only of words about the Lord, but, 
in a sense, of words from the Lord. When most empty of 
self, the soul often feels itself to be a channel for some in- 
fluence — that is in it but not of it. The chief secret of per- 
suasive force of speech is co-operation with God. All the 
inventions obtain their power from co-operation with God. 
Six times an hour news can, or soon will be, sent around 
the whole world, through what ? Co-operation with God. 
A natural force, taken advantage of by the feeblest 
human finger that can press a button, may carry intelli- 
gence around the planet with a swiftness like that of light. 

Co-operation with God is the source of all reinforcement 
of finite powers by infinite power. This thought unifies 
all inventions, all reforms, and all the relations of man to 
the laws of both the physical and the spiritual world. 

* New York Independent, March 26th, 1886. 



ORA TORICAL GIFTS OF THE MISSIONERS. 611 

What is the wisest use to make of special meetings in re- 
ligious awakenings and of the varied measures for securing 
the immediate decision of souls to obey all known truth ? 
Co-operate with God. Ascertain what measures He has 
blessed and is blessing by their spiritual results, and fol- 
low a uniform plan or a varied plan, whithersoever He leads. 
Co-operation with God by intellectual contact with 
reality — that is, by attention to all religious truth—this 
gives the power to convince the reason. Co-operation with 
God by volitional contact with reality — that is, by self- 
surrender to all religious truth — this gives the preacher 
the power to convict the conscience. 

" High in the temple of the living God 
He stood amidst the people and declared 
Aloud the truth, the whole revealed truth, 
Ready to seal it with his blood. ... 
Such was his calling, his commission such. 
Yet he was humble, kind, forgiving, meek, 
Easy to be entreated, gracious, mild, 
And with all patience and affection taught. 
Rebuked, persuaded, solaced, counselled, warned." 

The rhetorical gifts of Bishops Tuttle and Elliott, the 
Rev. Messrs, Glazebrook, Crapsey, Drs. Bunn, Fair, and 
Courteney, who are so well known, will not be attempted. 
A sketch of the foreign Missioners, however, ma}?" interest 
persons who could not " come to the mission" to be 
moved by their eloquence. 

THE REV. R. B. RANSFORD, OF LONDON, ENGLAND, 

one of the Missioners of the combined mission of Zion 
Church and the Church of the Incarnation, Madison 
Avenue, is most suitable for congregations who eschew 
both oratorical thunder and also vocal laudanum. His 
voice is sonorous, having a good vocal range, and is in 
no sense monotonous. In uttering successive sentences, 



612 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



he ascends and descends the musical scale, and occasion- 
ally utters a sentence with a grinding emphasis, but in an 
instant his tone is again musical and sometimes plaintive. 
Emphatic words in the divisions of his sermon are followed 
by several synonyms, the succeeding sentence uttered 
with a measured cadence, and he trills words with the let- 
ter R as if he were not a native Englishman. With a good 
degree of earnestness he commences his sermon, but it is 
not climacteric, and the same degree marks its conclusion ; 
but his sincerity, faithfulness, and persuasiveness arrest 
and hold the attention of his hearers. As the author was 
leaving the Church of the Incarnation, he heard one gentle- 
man quietly say to another : " The Missioner preached 
very plainly ; but in his sermon there was nothing sensa- 
tional/' 

THE REV. E. WALPOLE WARREN, OF LONDON, 

Missioner at the Church of the Holy Trinity, appears to be 
about fifty years of age, has iron-gray hair and whiskers, 
an active temperament, and is full of vigor. In the orbit 
of Missioners he is, in a good sense, eccentric ; and his 
sermons and their delivery accord with his own mental 
and personal individuality. He commences his sermon on 
a high key-note, uses the head tones of voice throughout, 
emphasizes the more important parts by increase of vol- 
ume on the same pitch ; and, though his voice is not 
heavy, it has the power of a far-reaching soprano, and it 
gradually becomes musical in the ears of his spellbound 
hearers. His sermons are not according to models in 
works on Sacred Rhetoric, and are characterized by what 
may be termed a kaleidoscopic variety of rhetorical com- 
binations, embracing lucid exposition, vivid illustration, 
convincing argument, striking anecdote, scathing denun- 
ciation, earnest warning, and plaintive, heart-touching ap- 



ORA TOXICAL GIFTS OF THE MISSIONERS. 613 

peal. He has fearless moral courage, and prefers at times 
to hurt the feelings of his hearers to avoid endangering 
their souls' eternal welfare. If the singing drags, he says : 
" Please to sing half as fast again !" When about to pro- 
nounce the Benediction, he requested the people immedi- 
ately afterward, to quickly and quietly leave the church, 
and not hold another after-meeting conversing, to allow 
the adversary to snatch away the seed of truth, but to 
return to their homes with a prayerful frame of mind, and 
prepare for their home above. When a person asked a 
gentleman connected with the Church of the Holy Trin- 
ity, " What kind of a Missioner have you ?" he received 
the answer, "An excellent one — one who is a genius." 
He can only preach efficiently in his own peculiar style. 
But when he announced that he would preach on Saturday 
evening on "The Devil's Saturday Night," he caused a 
little surprise. 

'* He possesses wonderful power in adapting himself to 
his audience. Is he addressing men, the treatment of his 
theme discloses a healthy, robust, manly religion, which 
appeals to the confidence of every true heart. Is he speak- 
ing to women, the petty, annoying trials of every-day life 
are so portrayed and applied as to prove that a life of faith 
will put them under foot and make the child of God victor 
over them ; while his talks to children sparkle with quick 
and attractive thought, compelling the young mind to the 
exercise of attention and interest. His sermons to Chris- 
tians are strongly tinctured with uncompromising utter- 
ances against the worldly Christianity of the day. No 
gay, frivolous, thoughtless professor of religion can escape 
his scathing words. His evening addresses to the unsaved 
abound in self-evident truths, from which no reasonable 
person can dissent." 

While Missioner Warren's oratorical gifts are the oppo- 



614 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

site to those of Missioner Aitken, he deeply impresses his 
hearers by a different mode of presenting the very same 
truths. On the text, " So run" that ye may obtain, or, "be 
constantly attaining" (i Cor. 9 : 24), after a very practical 
introduction he set forth, first, the definite object of the 
mission, and, second, the practical results derived. He 
said there is but little common-sense in the mode in which 
the religion of Christ is preached and practised, and but 
little common-sense in the way in which nine tenths of 
professed Christians live. 

"what is the christian race?" 

In answering the question, the preacher said not bap- 
tism ; for it is but the entrance, in order that the one who 
is baptized may start, or the entrance of the name on the 
list of probable starters. Confirmation is not the race, 
but a public profession that the one confirmed will be 
obedient to God's commandments. Baptism does not in- 
sure a start in the Christian race-course. Accepting Christ 
and resolving to serve Him is the starting-point ; and 
the real Christian life leads not to the cross, but from the 
cross. Christ died to open the entrance to the narrow 
way which leads to the crown ; and the true Christian 
lives not to be saved, but to be glorified. Many have a 
vague hope or a vague fear, and say : " I hope I shall be 
saved, or I fear I shall be lost !" There can be no race 
without a present salvation, and the entrance to the race- 
course is true conversion, and the goal a crown of glory. 

MISSIONER CARMICHAEL, OF HAMILTON, CANADA. 

We saw him in the chancel of the Church of the Incarna- 
tion, and were pleased with his intellectual forehead and 
his earnest expression of face ; but as it was not our privi- 
lege to hear him preach, we cannot describe his oratorical 



ORA TORICAL GIFTS OF THE MISSIONERS. 615 

specialties. Those who have heard him say that he pos- 
sesses the gifts for an efficient Missioner. His labors dur- 
ing the mission were acceptable and also beneficial. 

THE MISSIONER AT CALVARY CHAPEL. 

The Very Rev. Dean Hart, of Denver, Colorado, is about 
fifty years of age, and has a very active temperament and 
unusual executive ability. His influence over boys and 
young men resembles the commands of a kind general 
who controls his army without constantly threatening to 
have delinquents " confined in the guard-room." His 
oratorical powers are of the reasoning and persuasive 
order : his voice is musical, his delivery rapid, and whe.n 
limited by time, he embodies much solid thought in a very 
few sentences. The author has heard him talk as rapidly 
as the Rev. Phillips Brooks, who can make reporters own 
that his oratory is ahead of all phonography and stenog- 
raphy. His disposition is cheerful, and with friends he is 
witty ; but he does not talk nonsense in the name of the 
Lord, nor emit scintillations of his wit in His holy sanc- 
tuary. 

MISSIONER VAN DE WATER 

possesses a robust body, an active intellect, and is full of 
zeal. The expression of his face is pleasing, his manner 
is cordial, and he looks as if he is really happy in the Lord. 
When a friend approaches to shake him warmly by the 
hand he does not greet him by holding out one of his 
fingers. His talents are not of the imaginative, but of the 
practical, order ; and, having a strong will, he usually ac- 
complishes any work he undertakes. He is an interesting 
preacher, and uses familiar words, and when a little under 
way, and his soul begins to glow, he speaks with fluency 
and fervor. He heartily co-operated with Missioner 



616 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

Aitken, who conducted a successful mission in the church 
of which he is the Rector, before the Advent Mission was 
commenced in New York City ; and the blessings vouch- 
safed foreshadowed the great blessing that has accompa- 
nied his labors in St. George's and in old Trinity Church. 
The Rev. Mr. Van De Water has youth on his side and a 
strong body that can bear his earnestness ; but the duties 
of his parish will tax all his mental and physical powers. 
Delicate clergymen, in many cases, live to a ripe old age, 
for they husband their strength ; but robust clergymen 
often shorten their days, because they recklessly use their 
physical strength^ and seemingly forget that " waste is the 
invariable result of every action." 

Several years ago a brother clergyman said to the au- 
thor : " I can do more Gospel work to glorify ray Master 
by husbanding my strength to preach for ten or twenty 
years than if I labor beyond my strength, and prematurely 
die.'^ 

MISSIONER THOMPSON, OF QUEBEC, CANADA. 

The Missioner of the Church of the Holy Apostles^is six 
feet in height, and possesses a well-formed body. His 
face is oval, his head is finely shaped, and his hair and 
whiskers are gray. Most of the Missioners are men of 
maturity, and Missioner Thompson appears to be about 
fifty years of age ; but his eye is bright and his complexion 
ruddy. His facial expression changes with the change 
of sentiment in parts of his sermon. When proclaiming Gos- 
pel promises his radiant face beams gladness into the 
hearts of hearers who are sorrowful. After the first few para- 
graphs of his sermon the people become accustomed to the 
English cadences of his musical voice. He no longer keeps 
one arm behind his surplice, but uses graceful gestures, 
and his fluency of utterance increases. His voice and erne- 



OR A TORICAL GIFTS OF THE MISSIONERS. 617 

tions are under control, and while talking with rapidity he 
is self-possessed. Occasionally he uses the falling inflec- 
tion, as if he had reached the close of his sermon. But, 
without tantalizing his hearers by saying " just one word 
more," and preaching for another half hour, he proceeds 
as if he had much more to say on the fulness in his text. 
His style of oratory is the subdued conversational, and the 
hearer mentally says : " He is preaching to me." What a 
French critic said respecting a preacher in Paris — viz., 
'-* What a fine voice that nose has !" —may not be truly said 
of Missioner Thompson. 

THE REV. JAMES STEPHENS, THE CHILDREN'S MISSIONER. 

If the reader can imagine that he can see Missioner Ste- 
phen's beaming, pleasant face, and hear his agreeable 
voice, an idea may be formed of how he interested the large 
congregations of children by embodying Gospel truths in 
simple but vivid pictorial representations, that brought 
before their mental vision the sheep with the injured limb, 
the sheep that was lost, the good shepherd exhausting his 
strength to seek it, his joy when he had found it ; and, by 
an easy transition, next depicting the Saviour's love for 
" the little ones," His desire for their temporal and eternal 
welfare, and, by description, almost causing them to im- 
agine that they hear an echo of the rejoicing by the angels 
when they learn that another precious lamb, rescued by 
Christ, the Good Shepherd, is now safe in His fold on 
earth, and watched over by His under-shepherd. 

Different clergymen, like different stars in the firmament, 
shine with different degrees of brightness ; yet each is a 
star. One Missioner' s oratory resembles a storm, another's 
a calm ; yet, like the silent or the loud forces of nature, each 
is more or less adapted to the specific need of different 
souls. God has raised up preachers of different tempera- 



618 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

ments and gifts of utterance to move saints and sinners 
who possess similar temperaments. In the apostolic age 
some preferred St. Paul, others Apollos, others Cephas. 
On some souls what is equivalent to the earthquake fire 
or storm or the thunderings of Sinai is effective ; but 
on others the still, small voice or the refreshing breeze pro- 
duce the same results. Even a clergyman who is himself 
a battery of Gospel earnestness, and at times an oratorical 
thunderer, did not fancy ]\Iissioner Aitken's style of preach- 
ing, but '* admired the serene manner and more gentle 
tones of Missioner Pigou." 



THE REV. W. HAY AITKEN, MA, • 619 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 



THE REV. W. HAY AITKEN, M.A. 



His Fi7'st Evangelistic Labors — A Curate at St. /tide's Church 
— The Vicar of Evertoii — His Personal Appearance — His 
Style of Oratory — His Churchmanship — * * Pure., Genial 
Mirthf Illness^ Here afid ifi Heaven. 

Years ago an American clergyman, who is now the 
esteemed Rector of one of our New York churches, in- 
quired of a fellow-traveller in an English railway carriage : 
" Who is the youth making such a stir in the north of 
Scotland ?" The elderly gentleman promptly answered : 
" He is my own son, and his name is Aitken." So soon as 
practicable the American clergyman was a guest in the 
parsonage, and a worshipper in the parish church of Pen- 
deen, Cornwall. He was amazed at Father Aitken' s power 
of soul-moving oratory and the fervid devotion of his con- 
gregation at the stately services on Sundays, and those less 
formal held on week-days. 

" Young Aitken " became known in Scotland through 
the inability of the eminent Scotch Evangelist, Brownlow 
North, to accompany Hay McDowell, Esq., on an Evan- 
gelistic tour in the north of Scotland ; and so he concluded 
to take his nephew, W. Hay McDowell Aitken, to aid him 
at the services. His flow of Gospel eloquence amazed 
those who heard him, and in a short time four thousand 
people assembled to hear the eloquent uncle and his youth- 
ful nephew. 



620 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

At the close of the year 1859 the young Evangelist matric- 
ulated at Wadham College, of the University at Oxford. 
Though he conducted Evangelistic services twice each week 
at an adjacent place, he was a diligent student, and obtained 
a diploma of classical honors. He took his college degree 
in 1865, and had his choice of sixteen curacies. He chose 
to serve as a curate of Rev. W. Pennefather, the Evangelical 
Vicar of St. Jude's Church, Mildmay Park, Islington, Lon- 
don. A few years later he became the Vicar of Christ 
Church, Everton, Liverpool. While Vicar of Everton he 
devoted a part of each year to mission work in other towns 
and cities ; and the largest churches and halls were too 
small to contain the thousands of persons who desired to 
hear his mission message. When Evangelist Moody closed 
his services in London and Liverpool, Missioner Aitken 
was the only clergyman of the Church of England who 
could attract to the same halls thousands of hearers. Mr. 
Moody urged him to give up parochial duty, and to do 
"the work of an Evangelist;" and, after due considera- 
tion, he decided to do so. 

Missioner Aitken is about six feet in height, has a grace- 
fully-formed body and a well-balanced head. His fore- 
head is high, his eyes are dark, his nose is prominent, 
and his countenance intellectual. The Rev. Dr. Watts 
said : 

" Were I so tall I could reach the skies. 
Or grasp the ocean in my span, 
I'll not be measured by my height — 
The mind's the standard of the man. " 

This is true ; yet Mr. Aitken's physiquie and commanding 
presence add to his influence, as did the noble form of his 
revered father. He is full of zeal, and concentrates his 
gifts and graces to lead sinners to the Saviour. His ser- 
mons grow from his text as natural branches of the good 



THE REV. W. HAY AITKEN, M.A. 621 

olive-tree of truth. He speaks with the force of conviction, 
and emphasizes " Thus saith the Lord," whether prefixed 
to promises or to threatenings ; and if the Gospel of God's 
grace be not received, he solemnly asks : ** How can ye 
escape if ye neglect so great salvation ?" 

As the Gospel appeals to intellect, heart, and will, Mis- 
sioner Aitken, in the introduction of his sermon, interprets 
his text like a cool philosopher, in the treatment of its 
subject reasons as a skilled logician, and in its conclusion 
appeals like a master of sacred rhetoric. His voice is rich, 
deep, and flexible, and of unusual compass. He uses his 
vocal powers as a skilful organist the stops of his organ, 
and can increase the volume of his voice from an almost 
inaudible whisper, until its increasing tones ring through 
the largest church. But he does not utter benedictions 
and maledictions as if they were identical. When speak- 
ing words of consolation his tone is pathetic ; when he 
warns it is commanding ; when he beseeches it is full of 
pathos ; and as there is harmony between his emotional 
tones and what he utters, his words do not point in one 
direction and his tones directly opposite. When he occa- 
sionally pauses, all is as still as if no one breathed. Under 
the power of a touching appeal heads droop, sighs escape, 
tears start, and imploring looks say : " O Lord, have 
mercy upon me !" And when describing the love of God 
revealed in His Son, tears are dried, sadness departs, and 
faces beam with brightness. 

HIS SERMONS ARE MODELS OF PLAIN DISCOURSE, 

and strike home unflinchingly. One aged broker said : "I 
have seen men shed tears while listening to Mr. Aitken, 
whom I never suspected of having a heart !" His plain 
and searching sermons in Old Trinity created a greater stir 
than his famous series to men, preached in the vicinity of 



622 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

the Bank of England during the last mission held in Lon- 
don. 

In Church polity and ritual he is a " High Church- 
man " ; in doctrine he is " Evangelical " ; but his grasp 
of truth is broad. With natural and exegetical science he 
is familiar ; but his theology is not modern, and he wastes 
no time trying to discover what God has not been pleased 
to reveal. That St. Paul left his cloak at Troas he does 
not doubt, but the nature or the color of the fabric gives 
him as little concern as what was written on the parchments 
which St. Paul had left at Troas. 

Because he firmly believes whatever God has been 
pleased to reveal, his sermons are not divisions of postu- 
lates, but inductive conclusions from texts ar;d contexts, 
exegetically and rhetorically declared. His prevailing tone 
is affectionate, and, like St. John, he comforts the discon- 
solate ; but to unbelievers of *' the record that God hath 
given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son," and 
who " make God a liar," like St. John, he can be a Bo- 
anerges or son of thunder. He possesses a keen sense of 
humor, and can utter words of scathing satire ; but he 
mingles judgment with mercy. With a few master-strokes 
of rhetoric he sketches different characters. 

MISSIONER AITKEn's SKETCH OF ZACCHEUS. 

The publican's declaration, " Behold, Lord, the half of 
my goods I give unto the poor," was not an act of osten- 
tation, but rather of confession. The astonished fellow- 
publicans who heard him announce this decision would be 
slow to admire him on account of it, and be disposed to 
think their old friend and chief had ** lost his head." But 
whatever the act may have seemed, it really was a definite 
and final breaking with a besetting sin. Zaccheus, in giv- 
ing away half his fortune at a stroke, broke forever with 



THE REV. IV. HA V AITKEN, M.A. 623 

Mammon, and severed his golden chain. And men do well 
to take stern measures with besetting sins. 

IT DOES NOT DO TO TRIFLE WITH OLD FOES. 

Zaccheus could not afford to be rich, and so he eases him- 
self of the fatal burden. It would be well if those who 
share his temptation in this respect use equally sum- 
mary measures, and escape from temptation by consecrat- 
ing to the glory of God and to the good of man that which 
has well-nigh been their ruin. The conversion of the 
heart should be followed by a conversion of the piirse. It 
was easy to become the Zaccheus who received Christ, and 
he hoped his hearers would follow the example of the pub- 
lican who became a noble man, respected and beloved, in- 
stead of a mean, avaricious man, whom none called a 
friend. This versatile Missioner can be sarcastic as the 
Prophet Elijah, or rugged as John the Baptist, or scathing 
as the Psalmist, who said to the foes of Jehovah : 

" He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh. 
The Lord shall have them in derision !" 

He can be courageous as St. Paul or, like St. John, unroll 
scroll after scroll depicting the conflicts of the Gospel — • 
Christ's Messianic victories. His militant Church trium- 
phant, and in the New Jerusalem shining in His glories 
and singing doxologies. 

MISSIONER AITKEN IS GENIAL AND HOPEFUL. 

While his veneration is great, and he preaches in a reveren- 
tial tone, neither as a preacher nor as a Christian is his 
manner repelling; for the command, " Rejoice evermore, 
and in everything give thanks, ' ' does not mean, ' ' Groan al- 
ways, and of everything complain." The mandate, " Al- 
ways abounding in the work of the Lord," is analogous to 
the command, " Abounding in faith, hope, and love." 



624 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

The waves of the ocean following each other, and rising 
higher and higher, is a picture of how labor, and faith, 
and hope, and love ought to abound. Reason is limited 
to the things of sense, but faith soars to realms that reason 
cannot penetrate. Conscience, the soul's moral tribunal, 
would keep the soul in chains of bondage ; but hope breaks 
the fetters, and soars to realms of bliss, and banishes slavish 
fear. Love, which is gratified by possessing the object de- 
sired, through faith and hope anticipates bliss, celestial and 
eternal ; and to ** abound in faith, hope, and love" is to 
enjoy the peace of God, which flows like the river, but 
abounds like the sea. He exhorts Christians to 

" WATCH AGAINST MOROSENESS. " 

Blessed with a happy disposition, he does not sympathize 
with "spiritual melancholia," but rather with the quaint 
Divine who said : " When some Christians are very bilious 
they consider themselves very pious !" Missioner Aitken 
closed his last sermon at the mission in New Orleans, say- 
ing : " Watch against moroseness ; be happy in your re- 
ligion ; keep from wearing long faces. I believe in a jolly 
Christian— there is plenty of holy laughter above. Pure, 
genial mirth has its proper place both here and in heaven. 
At God's right hand are pleasures forevermore ; and en- 
joying foretastes, he sings : 

" * Cease, my soul, O cease to mourn, 

Press onward to the prize ; 
Soon thy Saviour will return, 

Triumphant in the skies ; 
There is everlasting peace. 

Rest, enduring rest in heaven ; 
There will sorrow ever cease, 

And crowns of joy be given.' " 



MA NIFE ST RESULTS OF THE A D VEN T MISSION. 625 



CHAPTER XXXV. 

THE MANIFEST RESULTS OF THE ADVENT MISSION. 

The Mission a Benefit to the Clergy — To Laymen — To Noji- 
Co77imutii cants — Sum7?iary of the Mission s Results — Testimony 
of the New York Independent — The Rev. Dr. Satterlee Hope- 
ful — The Parochial Mission Society. 

The Rt. Rev. H. C. Potter, D.D., in his address at the 
preparatory devotional service in the Church of the Heaven- 
ly Rest, wisely warned the clergy " not to expect too 
much," and, on the other hand, " not to expect too lit- 
tle." And the Rectors who cherished reasonable expecta- 
tions did not expect results from services for only ten days 
that had not appeared from ordinary ministrations in as 
many years ! The Rectors generally speak encouragingly 
respecting the good results of the mission already mani- 
fest, and hopefully respecting the permanent good results 
after the good seed sown shall have had time to grow. 
The Advent Mission was not a harvest, but a fallow ground 
ploughing and a Gospel seed-sowing season, and any 
great ingathering must be in the future. 

(l) THE MISSION A BENEFIT TO THE CLERGY. 

The spiritual strength of many has been renewed, and 
some who were lukewarm are now fervent. Some of the 
clergy who were despondent are now encouraged ; for they 
see the signs of life in the branch of Christ's Church which 
they dearly love, and new evidences that the old Gospel of 



626 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

Christ is not becoming obsolete, but is still " the power of 
God unto salvation," Contact with the Missioners re- 
enkindled waning zeal and brightened hope ; and their 
modes of presenting unchangeable truth have removed the 
fear that pew-owners or pew-hirers would not quietly 
submit to preachers who depicted their own shortcomings 
as well as the iniquity of the antediluvians and the sins of 
the Israelites. 

(2) LAYMEN FIND A FIELD OF USEFULNESS. 

Heretofore, with but rare exceptions, talented laymen 
have had their talents buried in the napkin of undue 
caution. Hereafter, in addition to the duty of giving of 
their substance, they will have the privilege of doing active 
service according to their ability, and to aid the over- 
worked Rectors. The mission opened an outlet for pent- 
up zeal, and enthusiastic clergymen and laymen may allow 
their fervor to flame in the church candlestick to which 
they belong. The mission has opened various doors of 
usefulness, and Christian women will take delight in aiding 
their Rectors, by visiting the sick and needy, the poor and 
afflicted, and also in urging non-church-attendants to use 
the seats in the church not always occupied. 

(3) THE MISSION A BLESSING TO NON-COMMUNICANTS. 

Many of those who could not sincerely sing the *' Ven- 
ite," " Gloria in Excelsis,'* and " Te Deum" through the 
mission have been moved by the Holy Ghost to heartily 
rejoice in the strength of God's salvation, and with their 
hearts, as well as with their lips, sing, " We praise Thee, 
O God." Some who feared the results of an elastic use of 
the Prayer-Book have concluded that parts suitable for de- 
voted Christians are not appropriate for services designed 
to reach the godless, reckless, and profane, who should not 



MANIFEST RESULTS OF THE ADVENT MISSION. 627 

be expected to recite the Apostles' Creed until they believe 
it, nor to sing the " Te Deam" until they have ceased to 
blaspheme God's holy name. 

(4) THE MISSION HAS ALREADY REMOVED PREJUDICE. 

Two laborers who were on their way to commence their 
daily labor, when passing an Episcopal Church in Balti- 
more, where the author was conducting a mission, one 
of the two asked : " What kind of Christians attend this 
church ?" The other answered : ** People who gets up and 
sits down at the public service Sundays ; and that's the end 
on't !" The man who seriously gave this quaint but some- 
what ironical reply voiced what many, concerning Episco- 
palians, then believed, whether what his words implied 
were true or untrue. But if a similar statement were 
made to-day in respect to Churchmen in New York, the 
numerous daily services of missions, attended by many of 
the sons of toil, could contradict the implication that 
Episcopal churches in New York City are places for per- 
sons who admire Liturgical services and hear artistic music 
Sundays, but do no religious work on week-days ; for to 
the Advent Mission services working people were heartily 
welcomed — those plainly attired as well as those robed in 
costly attire — by polite ushers, were not left to stand at 
church vestibules, but readily conducted to eligible seats. 
The extensively circulated notices of the numerous ser- 
vices, and the invitations, " Come to the mission ! Come 
in your working clothes !" convinced the masses who read 
them that the Episcopal Church in New York, like other 
religious bodies, now cares for the soul welfare of citizens 
who are neither rich nor learned. 

(5) SUMMARY OF THE MISSION'S MANIFEST RESULTS. 

Moral results may not be summed up by rules of arith- 



628 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

metic ; and the attempt to number the new-born babes of 
Israel to God may not be pleasing. Included in the ac- 
knowledged benefits resulting from the mission are : 
(a) The value of Liturgic flexibility and brief services for 
special occasions. {V) The ability of the Episcopal Church 
to benefit all classes of society, (r) The willingness of 
people to listen to intensely practical sermons on Gospel 
threatenings as well as to its promises. (^) The praise 
fervor congregational singing incited. (<?) The gladness of 
the laity to co-operate with the clergy to lead to Christ the 
Christless. (/) Zeal incited in Rectors by contact with the 
Missioners. (^) That a " revival " may be efficient with- 
out undue excitement. {Ji) Rectors who were timid have 
bade their fears " depart." And some who had looked 
coldly at the mission are now enthusiastic in view of its 
success. (/) Zeal has been increased in other Christian 
bodies, and their sympathy with the Advent Mission has 
been warmly expressed, and by Churchmen appreciated, 
(y) Increased charity in Churchmen for Christians who do 
not prefer the Episcopal form of Church polity, {k) The 
indications that hereafter " non-Churchmen" will not say 
that " Episcopalians have a beautiful Liturgy, but no per- 
sonal piety ;" and that Churchmen will not say : ** Minis- 
ters not by bishops ordained have no valid authority to 
preach Christ's Gospel." (Some time ago a Methodist 
said he was gratified that a Churchman recognized him as 
" a soldier of Christ's militia, even though he was not a 
soldier of the regular militant army." During the mis- 
sion Rectors were glad to welcome as fellow-helpers 
Methodists and other Christians who prayed for the success 
of the Advent Mission, and who had invited sinners and 
saints to attend the services.) (/) Churchmen, " high, low, 
and broad," or, as ironically paraphrased in England, 
" Attitudinarians, Latitudinarians, and Platitudinarians," 



MANIFEST RESULTS OF THE ADVENT MISSION. 629 

forgot their ecclesiastical dimensions, and, as publicly 
stated by the Rev. Dr. McKim, " locked their theological 
differences in the church cabinet of curiosities, and silenced 
their shibboleths." (;;z) They more fully realized that, 
while rhetorical sermons may be musical to the ear and 
philosophic themes may please the intellect, only the 
Gospel's " bread and water of life" can satisfy the hunger- 
ing and thirsting soul ; and as man has an emotional as 
well as an intellectual faculty, more than heretofore, to 
allure the intellect and touch the heart, and move the will 
to consecrate to Christ, body, soul, and spirit, many Rec- 
tors will base their sermons on themes connected with the 
facts, precepts, threatenings, and promises of Christ's 
Gospel which they were ordained to preach, {ti) Through 
" The Advent Awakening" the Rev. Dr. Langford, the 
General Secretary of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary 
Society, published a paper that was placed in the pews 
of the Episcopal churches, requesting that Churchmen 
pray for blessings on ** bishops and other ministers." In 
the requests for special blessings is included : " Pray 
that the Spirit of God may be poured upon all flesh, and 
that all the ends of the earth may see the salvation of 
God." {o) Other Christian bodies are offering earnest 
prayer for a Pentecostal blessing. (/) There are cheering 
indications that the wave of revival which has reached the 
Episcopal Church in New York as never before, will reach 
all the Episcopal and other churches throughout the United 
States, float all who are moored at the stagnant docks of 
worldliness and selfishness to a region higher and brighter 
and purer ; and also cheering signs that, with " the blessed 
company of all faithful people," a large number of more 
sinners saved will unite with them, singing : 

" Oh happy day that fixed my choice 
On Thee, my Saviour and my God." 



630 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

INFLUENCE OF THE NOONDAY SERVICES IN " OLD TRINITY." 

The manner in which the church was crowded proved 
how fully the hearers appreciated the Missioner's faithful 
warnings and heartfelt appeals. The evening before the 
mission in Trinity Church was commenced a broker said 
that not more than fifty business men would be present at 
a noonday service. When told, ** The church will prob- 
ably be filled," he said : " No, no ; it can't be done ! The 
only way to get the church filled with business men would 
be to have a telegraph ticker placed in each pew." Yet, 
without an attempt to make a compromise, to enable men 
in the church to serve at the same service both God and 
Mammon, the edifice was crowded daily by bankers, 
brokers, and other business men, who had left their " tick- 
ers " in their offices, many of whom had probably dis- 
pensed with lunch to have the hour to spare to hear Mis- 
sioner Aitken. A Presbyterian clergyman said to a friend 
in Trinity Church : " I know 1 shall hear the Gospel in 
some of its varied aspects every time Mr. Aitken preaches." 

An influential citizen said : " We have seen many large 
audiences in the past in New York, but have never seen so 
many middle-aged and gray-haired business men in any 
religious or political gathering anywhere as at Trinity 
Church during the past few days. One would think, to 
see the crowd of well known citizens at these services, 
that nearly all the brokers, bankers, insurance, and other 
corporate officers and business men in Wall Street and 
vicinity were there as attentive listeners. The services 
begin promptly at a quarter-past twelve, and close as 
promptly at one o'clock. The preaching of the Rev. Mr. 
Aitken is, in every respect, excellent and appropriate. 
Without waste of time or words the truths of the Bible are 
plainly and forcibly presented, and with evident effect. 
Every eye is fixed on the preacher, and not a word or a 



MANIFEST RESULTS OF THE ADVENT MISSION. 631 

point seems to be lost. Good men of all denominations 
are present as earnest and devout worshippers. The sing- 
ing daily is a most interesting and impressive feature of 
these services. On one occasion, when the whole audience 
rose and sang the ninth hymn of the ' Mission Hymnal,' 
it seemed to us that very few present were or could be un- 
moved. Tears and Christian joy were plainly visible in all 
parts of the house," 

THE PROPRIETOR AND EDITORS OF THE " INDEPENDENT," 

who are greatly interested in parochial missions and re- 
vivals in other churches, say : " The Advent Mission is not 
only ihe event in the Church, but the event in the re- 
ligious world. That this effort of the Churchmen of New 
York City had the interest and sympathy of all Christian 
people, without regard to denominational names, was a 
great factor in its favor. We are not surprised that it has 
been a success in the eyes of the world, and, what is of far 
greater consequence, we believe that it has been a success 
in the eyes of Heaven. There were large and devout con- 
gregations everywhere. But we have never seen a nobler, 
a more earnest, a more inspiring congregation than the 
noonday one of men which assembled, day after day, at 
the services in Old Trinity. It w^as a congregation that 
moved one to tears of joy just to look at. When it bowed 
its head and repeated the Lord's Prayer the effect was 
overpowering. We can only say, as St. John said, we 
heard a voice * as the voice of many waters, and as the 
voice of a great thunder.' " 

THE MISSION FLAME NOT TO BE EXTINGUISHED. 

A new-born babe, if uncared for and exposed to blight- 
ing winds, would speedily die. So the babes recently 
born into Christ's fold will require nurturing care that the 



632 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

Storms of worldliness may not destroy them ; and various 
agencies will be employed to aid Rectors in caring for 
them, and also to add to their number. And as a mission 
is not a sudden flame of religious fervor soon to be put out 
or die of itself, as there was diligent preparation for the 
Advent Mission, so there will be a diligent use of wise 
measures to follow it up, in order that the enkindled flame 
of a more intense and active religious life may shine 
brighter and brighter until Christ appear in all His glory. 

" Come, Holy Ghost, Creator, come, 
Inspire these souls of Thine ; 
Till every heart which Thou hast made 
Be filled with grace Divine. 

" Thou art the Comforter, the giff 
Of God, and fire of holy love, 
The everlasting spring of joy, 
And unction from above." 

What this church has done during the century past is cheer- 
ing, but, in comparison with what will be accomplished 
through God's blessing on " Parochial Missions," the past, 
compared with the future, will resemble the contrast 
between the rays of light at moonlight and the sun's bright- 
ness at noonday. 

" Fly swifter round, ye wheels of time, 
And bring the welcome day." 

FUTURE BLESSINGS PRAYED FOR. 

Many ardently desire that the manifest results of the 
Advent Mission may not be limited to the rich and in- 
fluential parishes, enabled to have a mission by reason of 
their ability to meet the expenses, but soon extend to par- 
ishes which could not afford to do so, and also to those 
whose Rectors could not now secure the particular Mis- 
sioners desired ; and especially to the large number of 
" feeble parishes," for whose invigoration it is hoped that, 



MANIFEST RESULTS OF THE ADVENT MISSION. 633 

as soon as practicable, the Bishop will provide Missioners. 
And fervent prayers are ascending to Almighty God that 
the spiritual life awakened in New York City may soon 
flow in reciprocal reviving currents through every parochial 
artery of the diocese, from " strong parishes" to the " feeble 
parishes ;" and also from diocese to diocese throughout the 
United States and Canada, until bishops, priests and dea- 
cons, and the faithful laity of each parish in all the dioceses 
shall be energized by the Holy Spirit to warn the multi- 
tudes of godless masses of the people that speedily the Arch, 
angel's trumpet may summon all nations to stand before 
the judgment-seat of Christ. Prayer is also ascending 
that in all the churches there may be fervency of spirit in 
the people's devotions, sincerity of heart in their Psalmody, 
and that after the season of Advent the clergy may prolong 
the midnight cry : " Arise, and trim your lamps ! Behold, 
the Bridegroom cometh ! Go ye out to meet Him I" 

The Rector of Calvary Church says : " Each Rector who 
was interested in the mission has emphatically said that 
blessings in many different ways have already smiled upon 
their parishes, and that in the majority of cases these bless- 
ings are in forms which were not anticipated : {a) The 
quiet ways of the Church have been strictly observed. 
{h) Human hearts have been reached and incited to future 
work. . . . Hundreds of persons who in the past excused 
themselves from doing any work for God, and shrank from 
all that is involved in self-sacrifice, are now offering them- 
selves gladly and willingly to labor in Christ's name. 
(c) Parishes have broken from the conventionalities of false 
conservatism, to bear witness for Christ, and we now see 
how unreal and artificial were the bonds that held us. 
(^") Many who were content to meet at the great feast of 
the Holy Communion once a month are urging the weekly 
celebration as the great means by which their souls may 



634 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

be strengthened for their future life's work, [e] Churches 
whose doors have been closed from Sunday to Sunday are 
now open the entire day for silent prayer or for the daily 
service. (/) Clergy and laity from far and near attended 
the mission, and since the close of the services communica- 
tions regarding missions have already come from twenty- 
five or thirty places. 

** While it is too early to say what is the entire harvest 
of this mission, and which, in all probability, will only be 
known at the last day, no one has the right to say that it 
was not a success, and that the harvest was not plentiful. 
The end of this work, which was founded in prayer, sus- 
tained by prayer and faith, is not as yet reached. It may 
only be the precursor to greater and more permanent re- 
sults than the most sanguine friend may imagine ; yet 
already results have been accomplished in a unification of 
schools of thought and of parish life which would have 
been deemed absolutely impossible five years ago ; and 
what greater changes and 'larger results are in store for us 
no mortal man can foresee." * 

A Parochial Mission Society has been organized in the 
diocese of New York, with the Rt. Rev. H. C. Potter, D.D., 
as the president, the Rev. George B, Van De Water, secre- 
tary, and Mr. Samuel A. Blatchford, treasurer. This society 
proposes to impart information through literature or per- 
sonal experience. It will assist Rectors in obtaining per- 
sons to conduct missions. And it proposes to form a staff 
of permanent mission preachers. 

* Condensed from article in the Churchman, 



NEW YORK ADVENT MISSION EXTENDING. 635 



CHAPTER XXXVI. 

THE NEW YORK ADVENT MISSION FLAME EXTENDING. 

The Rev, W. S. Rains ford in Detroit — His Cordial Reception — - 
The Bishop and the Clergy Hea7'tily Co-operate with the Mis- 
sioner — General Interest in the Se?'vices. 

With his fervor increased by the New York Advent Mis- 
sion, the Rector of St. George's Church visited Detroit, 
Mich. On his arrival at the Episcopal residence he was 
cordially welcomed by Bishop Harris and his clergy. 
They proceeded to Grace Church, where about three hun- 
dred lay helpers assembled to hear the Missioner's sugges- 
tions respecting what they might do to help the mission, 
and how to efficiently do so. 

On Sunday morning, January 3d, the mission was in- 
augurated in St. John's Church by an early celebration of 
the Holy Communion. Except on Saturday the Holy 
Communion was daily celebrated at noon in St. Paul's 
Church, and in the evening at St. John's. At each evening 
service many persons could not gain admission inside the 
capacious church. As impersonal preaching is comparative- 
ly useless, for when no particular persons are referred to 
no one is profited or offended, the courageous Missioner's 
sermons were personal and practical ; and, through his 
directness and earnestness, combined with a spirit of ten- 
derness, many persons were greatly blessed. 

The services for men only were also w^ell attended, and 
the heinousness of besetting sins were not concealed by 



636 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

floral rhetoric. Numerous requests were received from per- 
sons who desired that special prayer be offered that God 
would specially bless the writers, their relatives, or friends. 
Hundreds recorded their testimony that God had greatly 
blessed them, and were grateful to His servant, who had 
so zealously labored to promote their spiritual welfare. 
Missioner Rainsford was obliged to leave them, but he was 
followed by the prayers of many, who will not forget him. 
After he had said '* Good-by" the interest in the mission 
continued. 

An observer writes : 

" Detroit, Mich., January i8, 1886. 

" Dear Mr. Bonham : I thank you for your kind note of January ist. 
The mission in Detroit was among the most remarkable that I have ever 
witnessed. The services crammed the large Church of St. Paul's in the 
heart of the city. On many occasions, not at the end of the mission 
merely, numbers were turned away at the door. So general an interest 
or so deep a spirit of spiritual union I never before saw. The weather 
was unfavorable for the first week, yet the Church of St. Paul's was quite 
unable to accommodate the crowds. Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists, 
and some leaders of the Salvation Army — all were there. A most happy 
spirit was manifested by the clergy. 

" I am more than ever convinced of the great work that remains to be 
done through a wise use of the ' mission ' in our Church in this country. 
Bishop Harris was enthusiastic as to results ; and I think we all felt that 
great as the spirit of expectation in Detroit had been, God did more for 
us than we dared ask or hope for. 

" Very sincerely yours, 



MISSIONS IN NASHVILLE AND NEW ORLEANS. 637 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 

MISSIONS IN NASHVILLE AND NEW ORLEANS. 

Reception of the Missioners — Mis stone r Ait ken Interviewed — 
The Unusual Interest in the Services — A Good Word for 
Evangelist Moody — Work for Christ I?nportant — Converts 
not like a Wound-up Watch — Farewell Greetings. 

Immediately after the close of the Advent Mission in St. 
George's Church Missioner Aitken left for Boston. While 
in the city he preached in Trinity Church, of which the 
Rev. Phillips Brooks is the renowned Rector. He also 
preached in Tremont Temple, and the capacious building 
was crowded. The Bostonians desired the Missioner to 
stay longer in their city, but he was obliged to soon leave, 
in order to commence the announced mission in Nashville. 
E?i route to that city he visited Niagara Falls and other 
places of interest. The magnificent scenery incited his 
admiration, and he has doubtless reiterated to his coun- 
trymen in England : ** America is indeed a great coun- 
try—geographically, politically, commercially, socially, 
and ecclesiastically." 

On the arrival of the Missioners at Nashville, Tenn., 
a committee cordially greeted them, and W. S. Brans- 
ford, Esq., gladly received Mr. Aitken as his guest. Mr. 
Stephens was the guest of Captain Drouillard. Mrs. 
Crouch and Miss Parker were conveyed to the Maxwell 
Hotel. 



638 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

MR. AITKEN INTERVIEWED. 

Reporter. " Is your mission a revival in the usual ac- 
ceptation of the term ?" 

Missioner Aitken. ** Yes and no. The term revival is 
an elastic expression. My work is distinctly evangelistic, 
and supplements the Pastor's work." 

Reporter. " What will be your special object here ?" 

Missioner Aitken. " To lead people to know of the in- 
tervention of Divine power. Then to lead them to avail 
themselves of its benefits." 

Reporter. " What is your revival mode ?" 

Missioner Aitken. '* I deal first with the conscience, 
afterward dwell more on the doctrines of the Gospel." 

The congregations at the commencement of the mission 
were so large that the First Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church was kindly loaned for some of the services ; but 
the usual service from the Church of England Prayer-Book 
preceded the sermons. Services were also held in the 
Masonic Theatre, and were attended by more persons than 
had assembled at any theatrical performance during the 
season. At one of the services in the Cumberland Pres- 
byterian Church the Missioner pointed out 

the difference between the ancient and the modern 

pharisee. 

** The former," said the preacher, ** speaks his thoughts 
right out, while the latter clothes his thoughts in a variety 
of obscure phrases, a jargon of conventional expres- 
sions. I would rather a man spoke right out if he is a 
sinner, for it is astonishing how men of high character 
will cloak themselves behind self-righteousness. I don't 
think there is anything more wonderful than the readiness 
with which men play tricks on their own consciences. As 
long as we are what is termed good citizens, and without 



MISSIONS IN NASHVILLE AND NEW ORLEANS. 639 

one-fifteenth part of the religion of the ancient Pharisee, 
we trust implicitly in our self-believing supposed religious 
standing. The Pharisee was an honest sort of a man. 
God and he were on very good terms in his own belief ; at 
least, he honestly thanked God that he was not as other 
men were. But in what respect does our religion make us 
different from other men ? We and the atheist are con- 
sidered good citizens, but I know many households in Eng- 
land where an atheist will spend a week without having the 
faintest conception of what religion his entertainer holds. 
The East Indians have been known to question gravely 
whether the people of Europe have any religion at all. 

" How is it with us ? Are we up to the standard of that 
Pharisee ? How many a man to-day whose occupation has 
been a curse in his community and society ? This Pharisee 
fasted from sunrise to sunset twice a week. His religion 
cost him some expense of bodily comfort. Does our re- 
ligion come up to this point? Are we living on a level, 
really, with the Pharisee ? He gave one dollar out of every 
ten to the poor, and the Church ten dollars out of every 
one hundred. If every man who is a Christian by calling 
gave a tithe of his wealth we should have plenty of money to 
efficiently carry forward every department of Church work. 
How many of you think that the Pharisee gave more, much 
more, than you ? And you thank God you are not a 
Pharisee ! The Jew gave a dollar ; you give God five 
cents. But there is a voice from Galilee which says : " Un- 
less your righteousness exceed that of the Pharisees, you 
shall in nowise enter into the kingdom of God." We all 
would like to buy eternal life cheaply. Jesus said to the 
lawyer in order to gain this, to love his neighbor as himself. 
Many of you are trying to find out how cheap you can get 
to heaven, and I tell you in that case you'll never get there 
at all. The Pharisees took a superficial view of heaven. 



640 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

Adultery ! The man who gives one licentious look upon a 
woman has already committed sin in the heart. Murder ! 
Well, the man who hates his neighbor commits a murder 
in his heart. Theft ! Well, it is theft to tittle-tattle away 
the character of a friend, which is no worse and no better 
than when a man forswears himself in the witness-box or 
pilfers his neighbor's drawer. So the Pharisee explained 
away God's law, but he forgot that the sin of omission is 
as great as that of commission. The man who has oppor- 
tunity of doing good is as criminal as the man who, having 
the opportunity, commits wrong. Do not flinch from 
facts. Are you earnestly and truly endeavoring to live for 
God ?'» 

THE SERVICES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 

The Rev. J. Stephens's address in the Church of the 
Advent made a deep impression on the minds of " the little 
folk," and his sermons to young people "surpassed any 
services of the kind held in the city." The children united 
with a will in the singing, and paid the strictest attention to 
the speaker. His manner was freer than formerly, and the 
effect of his novel and deeply earnest appeals was thereby 
the stronger. Nearly every one remained to the after- 
meeting, and, without doubt, seed was sown in youthful 
minds and hearts which will be productive of lasting 
good. 

SERVICES FOR WOMEN ONLY. 

At one of the services for women in the lecture-room of 
the McKendree Church, after Miss Parker had offered 
prayer for the Divine blessing Mrs. Crouch made an ad- 
dress on ** The New Life in Christ." 

•' We get in a way of thinking things are right just as 
they are. There may be some present who are in a state 



MISSIONS IN NASHVIIIE AND NEW ORLEANS. 641 

of hesitation whether the new life has begun, because they 
have been in such indefinite relations with God. On ac- 
count of our Christian privilege we live on, hoping all is 
right, and we never come to the place where the Lord 
really meets us on a common ground till we are born again. 
No Church-membership will ever beget in us this change. 
We can never become children in God by chance, in a 
spiritual sense. It must be through faith in Him whom He 
has given for our salvation. How many of us believe in 
and appreciate that gift ? I want every one to face God 
this evening and give answer to this important question. 
The change is sometimes very slow. We are gradually 
drawn to Him ; yet when we pass from death to life it is 
the work of but an instant. Now sin has come in between 
you and God, and reconciliation means the healing of the 
breach through the intercession of Christ. God Himself 
is satisfied because of what the Lord Christ has done for 
you. He has reckoned with Christ instead of reckoning 
with you. Are you, then, reconciled to God through Christ 
Jesus, my sisters, or is there a burden of sin still lying at 
your heart ? Humbly kneel down in your own chamber, 
and rise not again until you have left your sins with God." 

The congregation consisted of the leading ladies of Nash- 
ville, and all were deeply impressed by the simple and 
affectionate manner in which Mrs. Crouch set the truth 
before them. A lady who was present said : '* Mrs. Crouch 
is a woman who impresses you at once with her deep ear- 
nestness and her consecration to her great work. With a 
voice clear and strong, and an enunciation so distinct that 
every syllable can be heard in the remotest corners of the 
church, and the gift of expressing in pure, forcible English 
the thoughts of a vigorous mind and the feelings of a noble 
heart, she will doubtless do much and lasting good." 

The mission in Nashville caused Church polity to be for 



642 * THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

a season subordinate to a Church mission, that resembled 
the mission of John the Baptist, who cried aloud : " Repent 
ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. " During the 
mission the Holy Communion was daily celebrated in 
Christ Church at 8 a.m. The Rectors and other clergy in 
Nashville were greatly encouraged, and resolved to follow 
up the good work of the mission by united prayer and 
faithful labors. 

Missioner Aitken's sermons to men onl^?* were preached 
to crowded congregations, and many doubtless prayed : 
** Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right 
spirit within me !" 

THE MISSION IN NEW ORLEANS, LA. 

On the arrival of Missioner Aitken and his co-workers in 
New Orleans they were cordially received and hospitably 
entertained. The clergy and laity heartily co-operated 
with the Missioners to make the mission profitable to all 
sorts and conditions of men. The interest in Missioner 
Aitken's services increased wherever he conducted a mis- 
sion. In New Orleans the crowds were larger and the re- 
sults more satisfactory than at any other mission he had 
held in America. 

THE FAREWELL SERVICE. 

Before announcing his text the Missioner said ! " I wish 
to thank the kind friends of this city who have extended 
to me and my fellow-laborers so hearty a Christian wel- 
come. Also I wish to thank all those who have so zeal- 
ously and helpfully co-operated and assisted in the work 
of the mission, which is now about to close. I have one 
special request to make— that you will remember me in 
your prayers. A week hence we shall be crossing the 
ocean, destined for home ; pray that we may have a safe 



MISSIONS IN NASHVILLE AND NEW ORLEANS. 643 

and prosperous voyage and a speedy reunion with those 
dearest to us on earth. 

** Another matter I wish to mention is that your com- 
munity are soon to have another call for Christian work. 
When God raises up such a man as D. L. Moody to pro- 
claim His truth and honor Him by giving him such large 
ingatherings of souls, we may well rejoice in having him 
among us. Let me urge you to give him your earnest sup- 
port. Go and hear him, and induce all your unconverted 
friends and indifferent, lukewarm Christians to attend his 
services. I am thankful to be followed in my labors by 
two such eminent evangelists as D. L. Moody and Ira D. 
Sankey. May God greatly bless their efforts in New 
Orleans I 

" One of the results of this mission should be the draw- 
ing closer together Christians of all denominations. May 
you be bound closer in the ties of Christian fellowship. In 
your conflict with the foe, you need the strength that re- 
sults from unity. As to those whom I have had the 
pleasure of addressing, I should be glad if you would take 
your Pastors by storm and converse with them about your 
soul's interests and about entering into Christian work. 
I would urge you to make good use of the opportunities of 
Confirmation ; join the Church at once, and enjoy the 
blessings of Christian fellowship. If you are confirmed, 
attend this holy ordinance systematically. My rule is to 
communicate, as I believe the apostles did, every Lord's 
day. They met together to break bread, not to hear ser- 
mons or sing hymns, but to commemorate the resurrection 
of their Lord." 

THE COMPANY CHRISTIANS SHOULD KEEP. 

Missioner Aitken said : " If you go into worldly society, 
except for the purpose our Saviour mingled socially with 



644 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

the people, to save souls, you do it at a fearful loss — the 
cost of your spiritual life. Let me warn you against 
luxurious indulgence in selfish pleasures. They will ruin 
you. Rest assured that when this is why you enter into 
social gayeties they are wrong and damaging. 

" Furthermore, dear friends, I do not believe in lazy 
Christians. It is impossible for a man to be a Christian 
and not be actively engaged in some kind of effort to lift 
souls up to God. Most persons turn their thoughts to the 
Sunday-school as the w^ork to be done ; but this is by no 
means the only work requiring your attention. There is 
visiting among the poor and neglected ; there is much to 
be done in the prisons, almshouses, hospitals, etc.; but 
often the opportunity is within your own circle — nay, in 
your own homes. Should none present itself, go to God, 
and pray that He will show you what He wants you to do, 
and set before you an open door which no man can shut. 
Remember, this is important, for a man cannot maintain 
a healthy Christian spiritual condition without Christian 
work." 

THE CLOSING SERMON OF THE MISSION 

was based on the text, ** Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, 
quit you like men, be strong" (i Cor. i6 : 13). The 
preacher said : ** My heart is in tender sympathy with 
young Christians, and Jesus is far more deeply sympathiz- 
ing with them than any mere man. And to you I say, as 
I have found it necessary to repeat to so many, the great 
thing for Christians to do is to watch. We can never be 
too vigilant ; we must always be standing guard. Some 
seem to think when they are converted that God is just 
going to start them on the Christian course, and they 
have nothing to do but to run, and they will reach heaven 
— like a watch that is wound up and runs without any 



MISSIONS IN NASHVIILE AND NEW ORLEANS. 645 

Other aid. Man cannot become a moral watch, and be 
made to run by being wound up, because man is not a 
piece of mechanism. God puts within us His Divine prin- 
ciples and power, and we must use them profitably. It is 
only as we exert constant watchfulness over self and our 
enemy that we will be able to maintain our faith." 

At the farewell service so many came forward to thank 
the Missioner and his helpers for the spiritual blessings 
God had vouchsafed through their labors, that not until 
near midnight did they leave the church. A full account 
of the interesting mission in New Orleans would fill a vol- 
ume ; but the foregoing brief sketch shows that there, as 
in other cities, their labors for the Lord were not in vain. 



646 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

FAREWELL SERVICES IN EAST ORANGE, N. J. 

The Rink Crowded — The Addresses of Bishops Star key and 
Potter — The Reply by Mission r Aitken — The Farewell Ser- 
mon — Three Thousand People Patiently Listen — The Closing 
Extempore Prayer — The Solcfnn Stillness. 

On Friday evening, January 30th, 1886, the Rink at 
East Orange, N. J., was filled with persons who were 
anxious to be present at Missioner Aitken's farewell ser- 
vice in America. The Rev. Dr. Bishop, Rector of Christ 
Church, East Orange, had superintended the harmonious 
arrangements, and also arranged with the Delaware, 
Lackawanna and Western Railroad for a special train for 
the accommodation of persons who desired to be present 
at the service. The large number of people who arrived 
in their own carriages, and others who lived near the Rink, 
filled the capacious building. While the Bishops, clergy, 
and Missioners proceeded toward the platform the choir 
and people sang : 

" All hail the power of Jesus' name !" 

After the Lord's Prayer and the versicles the " Exhatabo 
te Deus" was said responsively. The lesson was read by 
Missioner Stephens ; the Creed was recited by the Rector 
of St. Luke's, Brooklyn ; and the Collects were read by the 
Rev. Dr. Applegate, of Newburg, N. Y. The prayer for 
persons going to sea was impressively said, and to the 
petition that the Missioners might safely arrive ** at the 



FAREWELL SERVLCES IN EAST ORANGE. 647 



haven where they would be" was followed by a hearty 
"Amen." After the hymn, 

" Rock of Ages cleft for me, 
Let me hide myself in Thee," 

the Rt. Rev. T. A. Starkey, D.D., the Bishop of Northern 
New Jersey, congratulated the audience on such an im- 
mense gathering; paid a glowing tribute "to Christ 
Church Parish and to its Rector, the Rev. H. T. Bishop, 
D.D., and to all who had taken part in providing for us 
the treat of listening to the farewell words of the great 
Missioner, whom we all honor for his earnestness and 
boldness in preaching to us. Christ and Him crucified, and 
in trying to save lost souls." The Bishop then addressed 
a few graceful and complimentary words to Missioner 
Aitken, that the same kind and beneficent Providence that 
brought him here would carry him back safely over the 
stormy and wintry seas to his family and home, and that 
he might long be spared to labor for Christ and the Church. 

THE ADDRESS OF RT. REV. H. C. POTTER, D.D., LL.D. 

Bishop Potter expressed his gratitude to the Bishop of 
the diocese and to the Rector of Christ Church for an oppor- 
tunity to testify his appreciation of the work done by this 
great Missioner in New York for Christianity and the 
Church. This gathering reminded him of a gathering ten 
or fifteen A^ears ago in Cooper Institute, New York, when 
his fellow-citizens assembled to do honor to a distinguished 
scientist^Professor Tyndall. And if it was right to honor 
the man of science, how much more the minister of God, 
who had given himself up to his Master's service and the 
salvation of his fellows. We may not all be of the same 
creed, but we can all join in the grand old hymn we have 
sung, " Rock of Ages ; " and we are all bound together 
by a strong and indissoluble tie. The Bishop asked : 



648 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

** What is the tie that binds us ?" and in answer said : " It 
is our mother-tongue — the English language, common to 
us all — the tongue of Shakespeare, and of Milton, and, 
most of all, the language of the Bible, and of the Prayer- 
Book." The Bishop then paid a glowing tribute to Mr. 
Aitken, who had come among us, not to speak a new lan- 
guage or to preach a new doctrine, but to talk in our 
mother-tongue, and to preach the Bible and salvation. 
Shall we, then, thank the man of letters and science, and 
not honor him who has come and labored in the name of 
Christ ? 

Turning to the clergy. Bishop Potter said : " In your 
name and my own I thank him for all he has done for the 
Church. I shall not forget that there are others besides 
those of our own communion here ; yet we are all brethren 
of one common Saviour, and gratitude to Him, faith in 
Him, love to Him, will bind us all yet more closely 
together. In honoring the servant of God we are not pay- 
ing homage so much to the man as to the truth he has pro- 
claimed ; and we are here to listen to his last words that 
we may learn more of truth a,nd duty." The Bishop re- 
ferred to the well-known character in " Middlemarch," 
Garth, and quoted his expressive remark : " It is a great 
gift." So there was a great gift to all of us. It might be 
only a small piece of soil, yet it was of more worth than a 
fortune. The Bishop thanked God that He had given 
these brethren great gifts, and that we had shared for a 
time in their use and value. While here they had poured 
upon us streams of light, and had held up continually the 
figure of the cross for our admiration and faith. 

The Christians of other bodies who had sympathized 
with Mr. Aitken's mission, and co-operated to make his 
labors efficient, the Bishop viewed as a token of the coming 
day when the truths that bind Christians together will be 



FAREWELL SERVICES IN EAST ORANGE. 649 



seen to be much greater than the polity which now sepa- 
rates us. The self-effacement of the Missioners, and their 
persistent and constant presentation of Christ on the cross, 
should cause our hearts and our prayers to go with them 
back to England, to which we are by a new tie bound in 
fraternal love and fellowship. The Bishop's excellent 
address voiced the sympathies of the audience, and was 
followed by subdued applause. 

Missioner Aitken's reply to the addresses was character- 
ized by heartfelt pathos and his high appreciation of the 
kind words the two Bishops had spoken. He referred in 
eulogistic terms to the many kindnesses he had received 
since his arrival in America, and entreated the people to 
pray for him, and, when separated by the ocean, he would 
pray for them. During the reception of the offertory for 
the Church of England Parochial Mission Society, the 
anthem, 

*' Now we are ambassadors in the name of Christ, 
And God beseeches you by us," etc. 

was sung as a tenor and bass duet, and the large choir on 
the platform sang the chorus : 

" How lovely are the messengers that preach the gospel of peace ! 
To all the nations is gone forth the sound of their words, 
Throughout the lands their glad tidings." 

Missioner Aitken's text was : " I am not ashamed of the 
Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, for it is the power of God 
unto salvation to every one thsit believeth'' (Rom. r : i6). 
In the introduction of the sermon the preacher set forth 
that the Hebrews, Greeks, and Romans all needed some 
external and mighty power to deliver them from Satan's 
bondage. He then showed : First, that the apostle was not 
ashamed of the cross, which was then analogous to the 
gallows, in view of the character of the spotless Saviour, 
who voluntarily suffered and died thereon. Second, the 



650 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

solemn scenes of Calvary manifested the heinous nature 
of sin in the eyes of the Holy Lord God of Sabaoth. Third, 
through the Saviour's sacrificial death and mighty resur- 
rection the sinner may see his sinful nature representatively 
nailed to the cross, and, through Christ's victory over sin 
and death, each who believes shall be delivered from the 
guilt and the dominion of sin, and be a new creature in 
Christ Jesus, There are deteriorating forces in man's 
nature, and when his eyes are open to see the need of sal- 
vation — when he feels his danger and misery — he can find 
no other source of comfort or instrument of safety than 
that furnished by the Gospel of Christ. 

The preacher narrated striking illustrations of the adap- 
tation and efficacy of the Gospel. The first was that of an 
eminent scholar who had read the Scriptures critically, but 
had no spiritual perception till Christ revealed Himself to 
him. Another was that of a young lady who was sorrow- 
ful and despondent, but who gave herself wholly up to 
Christ, and was immediately transformed. A third had 
reference to a man who led a vicious and abandoned life, 
but became renewed, and then sought to lead others to 
Christ. After the relation of incidents in connection with 
his own ministry, illustrating the Gospel's mighty power 
to save, the preacher exultantly said : ** I am not ashamed 
of a Gospel that produces such results as these, and I 
don't want to make a change unless I can find something 
better. 

'* There is needed more spiritual power ; it is the Gos- 
pel only which can supply it. Men from the lack of power 
are brought down to dust. The young people need more 
power to raise them above the cares and sins of the world. 
This power comes from Omnipotence. We must obtain 
it from above. To bring the power near to us we must 
look at the cross, go to the cross, believe and receive the 



FARE WELL SER VLCES IN EAST ORANGE. 651 

Gospel in our hearts. On the cross I see sin in all its 
blackness, and love in all its fulness. ' God so loved the 
world, that He gave His only begotten Son.* What a 
depth of infinite love ! It surpasseth comprehension ! No 
plummet can fathom its depths !" 

The preacher asks : ** Is this Gospel that lifts man up 
from sin, from degradation, from death, and places him 
into actual communion with God, and reveals to him the 
glory of heaven the power of God to you ? If it is not 
power to you, what is it ?" As he drew his discourse to a 
close the preacher became more animated and emphatic, 
and he spoke with great enthusiasm and energy. The 
audience listened with rapt attention, and many eyes filled 
with tears. ** My last message to my friends in America 
is, the Gospel of Christ is power. Reverend brethren, 
believe it. In spite of the scepticism that is in the world, in 
spite of science falsely so called, the science of the cross is 
power. There is no reason why every one here should not 
realize this power, and have within him the Omnipotent. 
My last word to outcast sinners is, there is power, life, for 
you. Into God's hands I commit you. We may never 
meet again on earth, but we shall meet, if we are faithful, 
in a purer world, where the thrones are set and the books 
are open. Remember that in this farewell service a 
stranger who is not altogether a stranger gave as his last 
words, the Gospel of Christ is a power to lift men up from 
sin, to save from sin, and fit for Christ and heaven." 

In earnest words and in pathetic tone the preacher ap- 
pealed to his hearers to avail themselves of God's almighty 
power, which alone can save from every form of sinful in- 
dulgence. He reasoned, entreated, and added appeal to 
appeal to any sin-bound hearer to look to what is symbol- 
ized by the cross of Jesus Christ for complete deliverance 
from the dominion of sin. With tearful eyes he came to 



652 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



the edge of the platform, knelt down, and besought those 
at enmity with God to become reconciled to Him through 
the crucified, risen, and interceding Saviour, who mani- 
fested on Calvary that, while God hates sin. He loves the 
sinner, and provided plenteous redemption for all man- 
kind. Many were moved, and tears of penitence flowed. 
The instant the preacher had closed his sermon — the pathos 
of which cannot be described — he again knelt down, re- 
quested all who were present to kneel down, and offered 
an extempore prayer imploring God by His own almighty 
power to save the penitent from the guilt of sin and from 
the power of Satan. 

** Almighty Father, bless the word 

Which through Thy grace we now have heard." 

The Bishop of Northern New Jersey pronounced the 

benediction of peace, and after a solemn pause the Bishops, 

in their Episcopal robes, and the surpliced clergy stepped 

from the platform, and while passing through the centre 

of the crowded Rink the choir sang : 

** Arise and shine, for thy Light is come, 

And the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee." 



THE E VA NGELIS TS HOME IV A RD BO UND. 653 



CHAPTER XXXIX. 

THE EVANGELISTS HOMEWARD BOUND. 

Farewell Salutations — The Missioner s ^^ God Bless You T' — 
Safe Arrival in England — Reception ifi Londo?i — Missioner 
Aitkeii' s Opinion of the Church in America — Missioner Pigou s 
Impressions of the Church in America. 

On Saturday, January 30th, 1886, a number of the 
friends of Missioners Aitken and Stevens, Mrs. Crouch, 
and Miss Parker went on board the City of Berlin. Among 
them were the Rev. Messrs. Rainsford, Wilson, Parker, 
Bonham, and a representative of Mr.Whittaker, J. F. Claus. 
The snow was falling and the atmosphere chilling, and 
on account of the dense fog the steamer did not move from 
the pier until nearly two hours after the time appointed. 
When the last warning of the bell announced that friends 
must part they shook hands and said " Good-by." As the 
steamer slowly moved from the pier those ashore hastened 
to the pier-head, and handkerchiefs were again waved and 
greetings repeated. When the whistle of the steamer for 
a moment ceased, Missioner Aitken said : "God bless 
you ;" and the response, " Good-by," was heard in the dis- 
tance. Slowly beloved faces were borne away ; and when 
a prolonged *' Farewell " could not be distinctly heard on 
board, handkerchiefs were again waved as fraternal signals. 
One fastened his white handkerchief to the top of his 
black umbrella, and waved it amid the falling flakes of 
snow until the Missioners on board the City of Berlin could 



654 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

no longer be seen by their friends ashore. May we all 
meet on the celestial shore, where friends meet, but never 
part. 

Soon all who are in Christ's Ark of Safety will pass their 
last billow of trial, and in unison sing : 

" Into the haven of glory now we glide, 
We're home at last, home at last. 
Glory to God, all our sufferings are o'er, 
We stand secure on the glorified shore ; 
Glory to God, we will shout evermore, 
We're home at last, home at last." 

MISSIONER AITKEn's RECEPTION IN LONDON. 

Soon after the English Missioners arrived in England 
Missioner Aitken was tendered a reception in London. 
Eminent speakers welcomed his return, and many live 
Churchmen rejoiced to once more see his smiling face and 
to hear his earnest words. In reply to the address of wel- 
come, Missioner Aitken said : 

" From first to last our reception in America was most 
cordial, and the willingness to hear what we had to* com- 
municate made our work a great deal easier*than we ex- 
pected. The prejudices of Americans are more easily over- 
come than those of English people, when their convictions 
are aroused ; and directly they see that missions are really 
likely to be useful, missions will become a very popular 
institution. With respect to the spiritual condition of the 
Episcopal Church of America, there has been a great deal 
of earnestness and zeal in connection with that body, 
which, of late years, has been growing very rapidly ; but 
it has also been becoming more and more the Church of 
the upper-class people, and it lacks definite spirituality. 
There was a great indefiniteness of teaching and of appre- 
hension of the truth. If ever a Church required the mis- 



THE E VA NGELIS TS HOME WARD BO UND. 655 



sion message it was the Episcopal Church of America. I 
beiieve that the mission there will mark an epoch in the 
history of that Church, and that from this time forward 
the evangelizing work will go en ; and I further venture 
to hope that the narrow spirit which has led them to hold 
themselves aloof has received a staggering blow. I believe 
that this mission has done one thing among many others 
that we shall all be thankful for : it has tended to break 
down the barriers between our Church and others. ... I 
will ask you, dear friends, when you think of America, to 
join with me in pleading that those dear souls may be kept 
from the great sin of lukewarm Christianity." 

DR. PIGOU'S '* IMPRESSIONS OF THE CHURCH IN NEW YORK."* 

In a comprehensive review of his Mission the Doctor says : 
" The keynote of the New York Mission was struck in the 
admirable address given to clergy and workers by Bishop 
Potter at the preliminary service in the Church of the 
Heavenly Rest. ... I do not remember having ever heard 
words of greater sobriety and chastened thought than those 
to which Bishop Potter gave utterande. ... In eulogistic 
terms, Dr. Pigou refers to the hearty co-operation of the 
Rev. D. Parker Morgan to make the services, under God, 
succcessful. 

" Our prayer-meeting on Saturday evening in the church 
was the largest I have ever seen on the eve of a Mission. 
. . . We had throughout the Mission crowded and inter- 
ested congregations. The attention was fixed and rapt. . . . 

'' Looking back on it all, we can say, 'The Lord hath 
done great things, whereof we are glad.' Many, if not 
all of us, felt that the work was really only beginning 
where we left off." 

* Repnnted from the English Churchman in the New York Churchman, 



656 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER XL. 

ezekiel's vision of the resurrection. 

The Valley full of Bo7ies — Sin-dead Souls Quickened — T*he 
South London Mission — The Bishop of Lichfield' s Lay Evan- 
gelists — Financial Proof of Religious Vitality — The L.ate 
Bishop of Manchester— Missioner Aitken at Cafnbridge — The 
Parochial Mission Spreading — American Missioners Increas- 
ing — The Mission in St. Paul's Cathedral^ Syracuse — Mis- 
sions in Other Cities. 

The Prophet Ezekiel beholds a valley full of bones. 
Suddenly bone comes to bone, and each to its own socket. 
Flesh and skin cover them, but there is no life in them. 
The command is obeyed : " Breathe from the four winds, 
O breath, that these slain might live," and they stand upon 
their feet an exceeding great army. This is a vision of 
the resurrection of the body, for Jehovah says : " Behold, 
O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to 
come up out of your graves" (Ezek. 37). According to 
the law of symbolic interpretation, the quickening of sin- 
dead souls is analogous to the resurrection of the dead 
body. St. Paul says : " You hath He quickened who were 
dead in trespasses and sins." . . . " If ye then be risen 
with Christ, seek those things which are above." Is not 
this analogous to the past and the present condition of the 
Church of England and her branches in America? A few 
years ago Bishops, Rectors, and Missioners prayed : 



EZEKIEL'S VISION OF THE RESURRECTION. 657 

" Revive Thy work, O Lord, 

Thy mighty arm make bare ; 
Speak with the voice that wakes the dead. 
And make Thy people hear." 

In answer to prayer many who were spiritually dead, 
by the Gospel's resurrection power were quickened into 
life. The mission armies of Immanuel unitedly cried to 
others : " O ye dead bones, hear the word of the Lord, and 
live !" They are becoming an exceeding great army, and 
are marching forward, gaining victory after victory. The 
last week in February, t886, another mission on a large 
scale was held in South London. About one hund-red of 
the Church of England Workingmen's Army Association 
paraded the streets, carrying lamps and banners, and in- 
vited the people to " come to the mission." As the Bishop 
needs at once two hundred and eighty more clergymen to 
meet the spiritual necessities of his diocese, he welcomes 
lay helpers. In the Diocese of Lichfield lay evangelists, 
headed by their devoted chief, are winning many souls to 
Christ. In highways, as well as in mission rooms, they 
proclaim the freeness and fulness of the Gospel. Artisans 
and workingmen, without forsaking their worldly calling, 
labor as district evangelists. The Bishop says : " We are 
now making special arrangements for the careful training 
of these men in scriptural knowledge and in the doctrines 
of the Church. They will be a great strength to us, work- 
ing from their own homes among their own kinsfolk and 
acquaintance and neighbors." 

LARGE CONFIRMATION CLASSES. 

During the year 1884 eighteen thousand candidates were 
confirmed by the late Bishop of Manchester. In the parish 
of the Venerable Bede, the historian, the Bishop of Durham 
recently administered this solemn rite to more than one 



658 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

hundred and thirty adults who were saved through the 
labors of the Church Army. Some of the candidates had 
formerly been drunkards and gamblers of long standing. 
One of them was rescued when on his way to a public 
house to obtain more drink to nerve him to kill his wife 
and two children, and then to commit suicide. 

During the year 1885, at 1952 church centres, 202,983 
persons were confirmed by their respective diocesans. And 
as the result of other parochial missions many will soon be 
added to the number. 

A special mission of ten days has been held in St. Mary's, 
Hull. For some time previous to the mission a very ear- 
nest and vigorous work of preparation was carried on by a 
large body of laymen, consisting of members of the 
Brotherhood of St. Andrew and the Hull branch of the 
C. E. W. M. S. Cottage meetings were held almost in 
every court and alley in the parish, and many of them 
largely attended, there being as many as twenty of these 
meetings held in a week. The Missions preached by Mis- 
sioner Aitken, since his return to England, include the 
mission in Cambridge ; designed to benefit the professors 
and the students of its famous University. 

" The number of persons who attended Divine worship 
in one district in London was only three thousand out of 
sixty thousand ; and in others the attendants were not 
above one per cent of the population. The Right Rever- 
end Prelate, in the course of his remarks, very properly 
insisted upon the great need of * simple, straightforward, 
manly preaching, and more plain, expository sermons.' 
Dr. How further stated that one noble lady had offered 
him ;^2ooo a year for the rest of her life in aid of mission 
preachers and mission rooms." 

In England there is no lack of means for the support of 
the increasing number of Missioners still needed. Liberal 



EZEKIEV S VISION OF THE RESURRECTION. 659 

Churchmen now freely give of their substance, and sincerely 

sing : 

" Were the whole realm of nature mine, 
That were a present far to small. 
Love so amazing, so divine, 

Demands my soul, my life, my all !" 

That the Church of England is financially awake, is evi- 
dent ; for, according to the Year Book of the Church of 
England for 1885, in the twenty-five years, 1860-84, the 
voluntary contributions for theological schools and educa- 
tion of candidates for holy orders amounted to ;£^528,653 ; 
for church building, restoration, etc., ^35,175,000 ; for 
home missions, ;£'7,426,478 ; for foreign missions, ^10,- 
100,000 ; for elementary education, ;j^2i, 362,041 ; educa- 
tional literature, ;^987,84i ; church institutes, ^71,661 ; 
charitable works, ^^3, 818, 200 ; and for clergy charities, 
general and diocesan, ;j^2, 103, 364— making a total for 
the twenty-five years of ;?^8i,573,237. In the year 1884, 
78 new churches were built and 296 restored. 

The Rev. H. Haslam, a Missioner of the Church of Eng- 
land, has conducted several missions in Canada, which 
have awakened great interest. Mrs. Haslam 's services for 
women only have been daily crowded and greatly blessed. 

THE WONDERFUL REVIVAL SPREADING IN AMERICA. 

Since the date of the New York Advent Mission " Re- 
treats" and ** Missions" have been conducted in various 
cities, and awakened unusual interest. At the retreat in 
Christ Church, New Haven, Conn., the ** Quiet day" for 
the laity, conducted by Father Grafton, was largely at- 
tended, and the results are cheering. The second mission 
in Calvary Church, St. Louis, opened by the Bishop on 
March 15th, was attended by large congregations. The 
** Quiet day" in Christ Church Cathedral, Reading, Pa., 



660 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



was conducted by the Rev. W. S. Rainsford. In Grace 
Church, Toledo, Ohio, the Mission was continued from 
March loth to the 26th, inclusive. The Rector, Rev. W. C. 
Hopkins, preached a conversion sermon each evening, and 
afterward conducted a " prayer-meeting for those of every 
or no denomination." After the mission in Christ Church, 
New Lisbon, Conn., the Rev. C. S. Witherspoon, Rector, 
and the Rev. F. de Garno conducted a *' Two days' Re- 
treat." 

In Nashville, Tenn. , another successful mission has been 
conducted. It began with a '* retreat," and was con- 
ducted by the Rev. D. Convers and C. B, Perry. The ser- 
vices were well attended and characterized by " a restful 
stillness." Special petitions were offered by different per- 
sons that ** eight sons might be led to enter the ministry 
of the Church." Through God's blessing on the mission, 
the zeal of communicants was quickened ; " prayer-made 
resolutions for amendment of life and self-consecration" 
were offered, and as a result of Father Convers's appeal to 
men to live a life of purity, a branch of the Guild of the 
Iron Cross was organized. 

The mission in St. James' Church, Clinton, N. Y., the 
Rev. William De Lancey Wilson, Rector, the Rev. A. S. 
Crapsey, Missioner, made a deep impression on the whole 
community. In St. Paul's Church, Erie, the Rev. G. A. 
Carstensen, Rector, a successful mission was. conducted by 
the Rev. E. A. Bradley, of Indianapolis, who is a gifted 
musician and an effective Gospel orator. In St. Luke's 
Church, Rochester, N. Y., the Rev. Dr. Anstice, Rector, 
the fifteen days' mission was conducted by Missioner Du 
Vernet, of Canada, and was largely attended. The services 
were churchly, and at the sermon for men only six hundred 
were present. At one of the celebrations of the Holy 
Communion three hundred and forty persons received the 



EZEKIEUS VISION OF THE RESURRECTION. 661 

sacramental " assurance of God's grace and favor." At 
the closing service of the mission thirteen hundred persons 
were present. The mission proved a blessing to a number 
of the city clergy and to many of their parishioners. 

THE MISSION IN THE CHAPEL OF THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY 

TRINITY, 

Philadelphia, Pa., the Rev. Dr. McKim Missioner, was 
one of great interest. To a crowded congregation of 
women the Missioner preached on " She hath done what 
she could '' (Mark 14 : 8) and " Ye have done it unto Me" 
(Matt. 25 : 45). A sermon to men only was based on 
I Tim. 5 : 22. The texts of the evening sermons were : 
Matt. 20 : 16 ; Matt. 9:2; Phil. 2 : 12, 13 ; Mark 10 : 52 ; 

1 Cor. Ti : 23 ; Rom. 8:2; Psalm 139 : 23, 24 ; Rev. 3 : 7, 
8, 10 ; I John 3:4; Luke 16:2; Eph. 5 : 14 ; Job 2>Z '- 24 ; 
Luke 23 : 33 ; Luke 7 : 50 ; Matt. 11 : 28 ; Joshua 24 : 15 ; 

2 Cor. 9 : 15. Respecting the mission an eminent and a 
devoted Churchwoman says :* " The Missioner had private 
conference with about one hundred persons in the after- 
meetings ; scores of backsliders were restored and nominal 
Christians quickened ; and many turned for the first time 
from the world and from sin to God. Individual instances 
of benefit received, mentioned at the thanksgiving service 
at the close of the mission, were most interesting and re- 
markable. Certain it is, that all those who consecutively 
attended these services felt that it was good to be there, 
and that many who had not previously believed in them 
became converts to missions, at least to those conducted 
like the one at the Memorial Chapel, and marked, as that 
was, by quietness, reverence, and devotion. 

" Elizabeth N. Biddle." 

* New York Churchman, March 27lh, 1886. 



662 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

On Saturday, March 27th, an eight days' mission was 
commenced in St, Paul's Cathedral, Syracuse, N. Y., by 
Bishop Huntington. A very large audience greeted the 
Missioners, the Rev. Fathers Field and Torbett, of Boston, 
Mass. A choir of one hundred voices led the congrega- 
tional praise. Bishop Huntington named the mission 
"the alarm bell calling the sleepers to awaken." Daily 
during the mission at 7.30 a.m. the Holy Communion was 
celebrated ; 9 a.m. morning prayer ; 9.30 a.m. address 
and intercession ; 12 m. fifteen-minute address ; at 7 p.m. 
mission service, with sermon ; addresses to men only on 
both Sundays at 4 p.m ; to women only on Thursday. 
The mission cannot fail to receive His blessing who 
authorized the production from His storehouse of " thii>gs 
old and new." Bishop Huntington's great interest in 
parochial missions is described in " The Church Revived," 
Part II., Chapter VI. Missions have been held in various 
cities in other States, and the results have cheered Bishops, 
Rectors, and Missioners. 

THE MISSION IN GRACE CHURCH, PROVIDENCE, R. I. 

The Mid-Lent Mission in Grace Church was one of great 
interest. The Rector and Missioner, the Rev. Messrs. 
Greer and Bodine, heartily co-operated and unitedly 
labored. Dr. Bodine began the mission " in weakness and 
fear and much trembling," but was refreshed in body and 
soul by the successive services. The congregations were 
large and attentive, and many were benefited. The mis- 
sion sermon preached each evening, on a few occasions was 
followed by an address by the Rector of great earnest- 
ness and spiritual fervor and unsurpassed eloquence. At 
the closing service, notwithstanding a snow-storm, there 
was not a vacant seat in the church. Everything of a 
" sensational nature" was avoided. There was no appeal 



EZEKIEVS VISION OF THE RESURRECTION. 663 

to the mere emotions, and no attempts to raise the feelings 
beyond the point where they can steadily be maintained. 
Through the mission the Rector, the Missioner, and people 
were cheered and benefited. The Missioner, in a descrio- 
tion of the services, says : " Let us not be afraid of, but 
let us welcome, the mission movement." * 

The recent parochial mission conducted by the Rev. 
Fathers Prescott and Gardner, in Grace Church, Indian- 
apolis, has edified many, confirming their faith and deep- 
ening their devotion to the service of Christ. 

The work of the mission in Calvary Chapel, New York, 
did not cease when the Rev, Dean Hart returned to 
Colorado. On Sundays and Fridays during Lent inter- 
cessory prayers were offered for seven specified classes of 
the community. The Rev. Mr. Tompkins and his people 
are greatly cheered by the continued influence of the Ad- 
vent Mission. On Sunday, April 4th, the author was 
again present at 

ST. George's mission in avenue a. 

He was much cheered by the large attendance and the 
addresses and testimonies. After the close of the Sunday- 
school the Rev. Dr. Wilson and a few singers stood in front 
of Jefferson Hall, and sang several Gospel hymns. The 
snow was falling and the atmosphere chilly, yet a number 
of people who were passing tarried to listen. At the ser- 
vice in the hall the touching words of Dr. Wilson and other 
speakers made a deep impression. One man said : " Two 
years ago I kept a gin-mill at Tenth Street and Avenue B ; 
but God, through Christ, saved me and upholds me." 
Another man said : " I had a passion for gambling, and 
kept my wife in constant anxiety ; but now all is changed, 

* Standard of the Cross, April 15th, p. 340. 



664 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

the evil desire has departed, and Christ hath -made me 
free." Several others testified that God saves from the 
power of sin, and keeps from falling all who put their trust 
in Him. The interest was so great that the services were not 
closed till nearly six o'clock. Lustily the people sang : 

" Crown Him, crown Him, angels, crown Him, 
Crown the Saviour King of kings !" 

On Sunday, March 22d, the congregation at St. George's 
Church offered " special thanksgiving for the Divine bless- 
ing resting on the mission in Avenue A." The Rev. Dr. 
Wilson is efficiently aided by a band of lay workers. 

At the Diocesan Convention of Long Island, held in 
1884, the Bishop recommended that a Lay Helpers' Asso- 
ciation be organized in the various parishes, after the 
manner of the London Lay Helpers' Association. In the 
Diocese of Long Island are twenty-five lay helpers, nine of 
whom were solemnly set apart by the Bishop on Sunday, 
February 14th, in the Church of the Redeemer, Brooklyn. 
Among the good results of the New York Advent Mission 
is the open door of usefulness for talented laymen, and the 
students of the General Theological Seminary. Practical 
Gospel work under the wise direction of Rectors would 
prepare students for greater efficiency as future Rectors, 
and enable them to avoid the sorrows resulting from un- 
duly magnifying ** the prerogatives of a Rector." 

THE ENGLISH CHURCH ARMY OF LAYMEN. 

Their usefulness having been fully tested, " His Grace 
the Archbishop of York,'" "the Lord Bishop of London," 
and the Bishop of Bedford have recently consented 
to be included among its patrons. Some time ago the 
Bishop of Bedford administered the Holy Communion to 
officers of the Salvation Army, of which General Booth 
is the courageous leader. 



THE BISHOPS OF THE DIOCESE OF NE W YORK. 665 



CHAPTER XLI. 

THE BISHOPS OF THE DIOCESE OF NEW YORK. 

Bishop Horatio Potter^s Permission to Use an Abbreviated 
Liturgical Service — Bishop Henry C. Potter'' s Address to 
the Clergy — His Sermons to Women — '* What is Personal 
Wholeness .?' ' — A Striking Incident — Suddenly Saved — Sud- 
denly in Paradise. 

About fifteen years ago the Rev. Mr. Howell and the 
author visited the Rt. Rev. Horatio Potter, D.D., to obtain 
his permission to use an abbreviated Liturgical service at 
a mission in Grace Church, City Island, N. Y, The 
Bishop readily granted the request, saying : ** But use only 
select prayers from the Prayer-Book." So soon as it was 
known that " revival services" were to be commenced in 
Grace Church, the Methodists had notice given to the chil- 
dren in the day-school that " revival services" would be 
commenced in the Methodist Church the same evening. 
The services in Grace Church were well attended, the 
people interested, and the Rector and Missioner encour- 
aged. So far as the author knows, this was the first paro- 
chial mission held in the diocese of New York. 

The Rt. Rev. Henry C. Potter's interest in parochial 
missions was manifested by his presence at the " retreat" 
at Garrison's, his timely address at the '* preparatory de- 
votional service" at the Church of the Heavenly Rest, his 
presence at the noonday service in Trinity Church, and 



666 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

his farewell address to Missioner Aitken in the Rink at 
East Orange.* 

Soon after his consecration Bishop H. C. Potter, D.D., 
convened his clergy in Grace Church Chapel, Broadway, 
and after devotional exercises solemnly set before them 
the importance of personal devotion, which is so likely to 
be interfered with by numerous parochial duties. He 
affectionately urged the clergy to set apart special times 
for self-examination, and earnest prayer for growth in 
grace, and for the critical study of the sacred Scriptures, 
in addition to the time spent in the selection of texts and 
the preparation of their sermons. The Bishop, who had 
been the Rector of Grace Church for many years, fully 
aware of the multiform nature of ministerial hindrances, 
knew how to judiciously advise his clergy not to be so 
much absorbed in routine duties that they forget or over- 
look their duty to promote their own growth in holiness. 
A portion of time spent each week, as the Bishop suggested 
would not be time misspent, for it would greatly increase 
clerical usefulness and efficiency. 

SPECIAL SERVICES FOR CHRISTIAN WOMEN. 

In 1883-84 and in 1884-85 the Bishop delivered a series 
of sermons to women, " designed to be helpful to those who 
are engaged in the various ministries to the poor, the 
neglected, the unevangelized, the fallen, and the ignorant, " 
to which women in our day are so largely devoting them- 
selves. At each service the Bishop delivered an instructive 
address, after which the Holy Communion was celebrated. 
Christian women gladly received the wise suggestions of 
their Bishop, and heartily rejoiced that he was so deeply 



* " The Church Revived." Part V., Chapters III. and XXXVII. 



THE BISHOPS OF THE DIOCESE OF NE W YORK. G67 

interested in the various forms of benevolent work in 
which so many Churchwomen are so devotedly engaged. 

On Monday, February ist, 1886, at 11 a.m., the Bishop 
held a service for women in St. Ann's Church, and de- 
livered an address on " The Realm of Order." Monday, 
February 15th, the service was held in Church du Saint 
Esprit, and the subject of the address, " Ends and Instru- 
ments."- Monday, March 15th, in the Church of the 
Ascension, the subject of the address was " Illusions and 
Ideas." On Monday, March 15th, the service was held in 
St. George's Church, Stuyvesant Square. The clergy 
present with the Bishop were the Rev. W. S. Rainsford, 
M.A., the Rev. Dr. Wilson, the Rev. Lindsay Parker, and 
Missioner Bonham. The Liturgical worship was led by 
the Bishop and the Rector. The responses were fervent, 
the singing was congregational, and the lady who presided 
at the organ played a subdued accompaniment. 

THE bishop's address ON " WHOLENESS. " 

" In concluding this series of services/' the Bishop said, 
" I shall depart from my usage hitherto— that has been 
to speak mainly of your work. I wish this morning to 
speak mainly of yourselves. And the reason for this is 
easily to be seen, for in a real and inevitable sense all 
human work must be partial and fragmentary. To go no 
farther than this great city, what can any one of us do but 
touch at a single point ? And that is the difference 
between you and your work ; for you are not a fragment ; 
God meant you to be a whole. It is just here, as so often, 
that art becomes suggestive. In Caryatides the head and 
shoulders are sufficient to sustain a heavy weight. But 
you have something more to do than to bear burdens ; and 
it is forgetfulness of this that spoils character. We say of 
one who is inefficient : ' He is only half a man ! ' 



668 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



WHAT IS PERSONAL WHOLENESS ? 

** In answering this question I shall not disdain to begin 
low down. When I touch your hand or hear your voice 
I come into contact with something which is the only 
means you have of translating yourself to other people." 
Respecting physical powers, the Bishop said : ** With 
women there seem to be two extremes — idolatry or neglect. 
Surely there is a golden mean. Those who are endowed 
with physical beauty are in danger of neglecting important 
duties. How much time many spend attending to their 
finger ends ! But women have a finer instrument than the 
body. It is the power that says : * Intelligo, ' ' I know/ 
* I perceive.' Included in the mental powers are (a) per- 
ception, {h) comparison, (c) reflection. And wholeness 
means supremacy in the exercise and development of the 
spiritual faculty." 

HOW MAY WHOLENESS BE DEVELOPED ? 

The Bishop referred to the ten lepers whom Christ had 
healed of their malady, and pointed out what was deficient 
in the nine who obtained what they wanted, but needed 
something more. The one who expressed gratitude saw 
in Christ the image of the Divine. Through faith he was 
made whole. That is supremely the office of faith. We 
smile at faith cures, because this is an age of un(a.ith, and 
that is the Protestantism of an age of unbelief ! 

In closing his admirable and instructive address the 
Bishop said : *' Give to the Master's service a whole 
womanhood. May Lent help you to do it." 

The Bishop's series of sermons to women were listened 
to by large congregations. At St. George's the floor of 
the capacious church was nearly filled. The excellencies 
of the sermons were highly appreciated, and have proved 



THE BISHOPS OF THE DIOCESE OF NEW YORK. 669 



profitable to many. After the address on Monday, March 
15th, the Holy Communion was celebrated. While the 
communicants were receiving the consecrated bread and 
wine the lady at the organ softly played successive tunes, 
which recalled the soothing words of familiar hymns. And 
when the " Gloria in Excelsis" was sung, " We praise 
Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, we glorify Thee, 
we give thanks unto Thee, for Thy great glory, O Lord 
God, heavenly King," in grand and melodious soprano, 
ascended to the right hand of the Majesty on High. 

Should any of the Christian women helpers read " The 
Church Revived," the following incident, related to the 
author by the Bishop of Bedford, England, may move 
them 

NOT TO PROCRASTINATE PRESENT DUTY. 

Mentally visit St. Pancras' Church, Huston Road, Lon- 
don. The Archbishop of York is preaching an earnest 
Gospel sermon. In closing, he urges all present to avail 
themselves of the privileges of the mission, which to some 
may be the last call of mercy. A Christian worker notices 
a young woman whose countenance indicates that she is 
deeply impressed, but that her soul is not at rest. After 
the service the lady speaks to her, saying : " Do you know 
the Lord Jesus as your personal Saviour, and are your sins 
forgiven?" The young woman answers: ''I have no 
assurance that my sins have been pardoned." After in- 
structive conversation the lady invites her to call at her 
residence. At the time appointed she does so, and is cor- 
dially received. The lady reassures her that Christ is the 
only and all-sufficient Saviour, and that whoever confides 
in Him He will save to the uttermost—fully, completely, 
and eternally. The visitor now believes this truth, and is 
moved to trust henceforth in His saving power. Sud- 
denly her sin-burden departs, her soul is now serene, and 



670 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

her face is radiant. The lady gives her the Bible contain- 
ing the record that ** God hath given to us eternal life, 
and this life is in His Son ;" and with the testimony of 
Him who is faithful and true in her hand, and the assur- 
ance that He has forgiven her sins written on her heart, 
she leaves the house. 

SUDDENLY SAVED ! SUDDENLY IN PARADISE ! 

Suddenly the young woman believed in Christ, and called 
Him, ** My Saviour !" But alas ! suddenly a carriage runs 
over her. Her body is painfully bruised ; but her spirit 
is serene. Strangers carry her to the nearest hospital, and 
her case receives immediate surgical attention. But 
though she cannot live long— and of this she is conscious- 
she is calm even in the presence of " the king of terrors," 
for He in whom she trusts is death's mighty Conqueror. 
The Bible containing the record that '* God is love," and 
that whoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be 
saved, she gives to her nurse. Soon she departs in peace. 
How serene her countenance ! The day following her 
departure from this life 

THE LADY WHO HAD GIVEN HER THE BIBLE 

makes her usual visit to a ward of the hospital. Instantly 
a nurse approaches her, saying : " There is a Bible of 
yours here." As the lady expresses surprise, the nurse 
hands it to her, saying : " It was left by a young woman 
who was brought here last night suffering from an acci- 
dent. She had been run over by a vehicle, and now she is 
dead." The lady opens the Bible, finds her own name 
written therein, and is much surprised. With suppressed 
emotion she asks : ** Did the young woman say much after 
she was brought to the hospital ?" The nurse answers : 
*' All she said was, * I thank God the accident did not 



THE BISHOPS OF THE DIOCESE OF NE W YORK, 671 



occur on Monday ' " — the day before the Bible had been 
given to her. Great, indeed, was the lady's joy that she 
had heeded the inward voice, saying : 



GO SPEAK TO THAT YOUNG WOMAN 



y* 



and that before the young woman departed she expressed 
gratitude for mercy vouchsafed. This doubtless incited 
the lady not to procrastinate present duty, and to tell the 
penitent sinner : " Christ died for your sins, and you with 
Him was crucified. He rose from the dead, that the con- 
demned might be justified, and in your Representative you 
also arose. He ascended to be enthroned as your all-suf- 
ficient Advocate, and in Him each believer is seated in 
the heavenly places in Christ Jesus !" 



672 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER XLII. 

FATHER OSBORNE AT TRINITY CHURCH. 

The Battle of the Cross of Christ — Description of the Preacher 
— The Ministers the Times Need—'''' The Church must be 
Wide and Flexible in its Methods'' — ''''The Armory of Heaven 
is not Empty. ' * 

The Rev. Father Osborne, of the Society of St. John the 
Evangelist, Cowley, England, on Monday, April 12th, 
1886, commenced a noonday mission to men in Trinity 
Church, New York. After prayer and the hymn, " Rock 
of Ages, cleft for me," the Missioner selected for his text : 
" But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling- 
block, and to the Greeks foolishness" (i Cor. i : 23). 
The introduction of the sermon set forth that men gener- 
ally take delight in witnessing a fight, either between men 
or boys. Though some may mentally wish that some 
person would separate the combatants, they allow the fight 
to go on, and mentally conclude which of them will be the 
victor. When two nations are in a state of conflict we 
read with avidity the daily papers describing the progress 
of the battle. There is within us a power to contend and 
a desire to fight. ** A child," said the preacher, " whom 
I was baptizing, as if unwilling to receive the symbol of 
the warfare from which human nature shrinks, struck out 
his little hand just as I was about to make upon his fore- 
head the sign of the cross." The subject of the sermon 
on Monday was : 



FATHER OSBORNE AT TRINITY CHURCH. 673 



THE BATTLE OF THE CROSS IN THE INTELLECTo 

The preacher said : " If we leave out what is meant by 
' the cross of Christ ' from the life of Christ, His life is 
nothing more than the life of an ordinary man. But 
Christ's life and death were a revelation of God's good- 
will toward man." The preacher set forth that each per- 
son is called to take part in the battle of the cross of Christ, 
from which no one may be excused. This battle is {a) 
a. battle of humility, (l?) a battle of suffering, (c) a battle 
inspiring hope, (d) a battle that brings a sure reward to 
each who accepts the Godhead of Christ, obeys His com- 
mandments, and " continues Christ's faithful soldier and 
servant until his life's end." Father Osborne's sermon on 
Tuesday described " The Battle of the Cross in the Soul ;" 
Wednesday, " The Battle of the Cross in the Body ;" 
Thursday, " The Battle of the Cross in the Home ;" 
Friday, " The Battle of the Cross in Business ;" Saturday, 
** The Battle of the Cross in Society."* 

" Jesus calls us ; o'er the tumult 
Of our life's wild, restless sea, 
Day by day His sweet voice soundeth, 
Saying, ' Christian, follow Me.' " 

THE- BATTLE OF THE CROSS IN THE SOUL. 

Father Osborne's sermon to business men on Tuesday 
was based on Ezek. 17 : 14 : " Behold, all souls are mine, 
saith the Lord." The introduction showed wherein the 
functions of the soul differ from those of the mind ; for 
the intellectual eye perceives, but the soul loves or hates ; 
and because the life of the soul is deeper and more in- 
tense than the life of the mind, in popular phrase we say 

* From the author's report in the Independetit of April 22d. 



674 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



of one man " he is a noble soul ;" but of a mean man " he 
has no soul." The sermon set forth that the battle of the 
Cross in the soul is more formidable and the conflict 
greater than in the intellect, and specified the difficulties of 
the struggle, and how to overcome them. 

The Saviour of men was the model man ; and His 
human intellect, and soul, and will always harmonized 
with the Divine will ; and He expressed His acqui- 
escence, saying : " Thy will, O Lord, be done." It is a 
great achievement for a man to yield his will to the will 
of God, and to learn at the cross of Christ how to find rest 
for his agitated soul. God gave man freedom of will to 
choose or to refuse, in order that he might not be a mere 
human machine, destitute of the power to love what he 
admires, and to repel what he hates. With great fervor 
and fluency the preacher emphasized the blessedness of 
harmony between the human will of man and the holy will 
of God. Whoever sincerely says, " I delight to do Thy 
will, O God," his soul revolves in the sphere of celestial 
harmony, and he hears the mandate : *' Peace, be still." 

" As of old, apostles heard it 
By the Galilean lake, 
Turned from home, and toil, and kindred, 
Leaving all for His dear sake." 

THE BATTLE OF THE CROSS IN THE BODY. 

The sermon on Wednesday was based on Phil. 3 : 18, 
19 ; and in scathing tones the preacher denounced certain 
sins, and their blighting effects on the body and mind of 
whoever lives to gratify his lower nature. With great 
plainness, combined with great prudence, he alluded to 
sins committed by young men, men of middle-age, and 
men of maturity ; and showed that men whose primary 
object of life is pleasure are the most wretched of their 



FATHER OSBORNE AT TRINITY CHURCH, 675 

race. The judgments of God that overwhelmed sinners in 
times past were cited as solemn warnings to those who live 
to gratify the passions, and who mind only earthly things ; 
and he thanked God that in the battle of the Cross viath 
bodily appetites he had given many strength to conquer 
and march heavenward, singing : 

" In our joys and in our sorrows, 
Days of toil and hours of ease, 
Still Christ calls, in cares and pleasures, 
' Christian, love Me more than these.' " 

THE BATTLE OF THE CROSS IN THE HOME. 

Father Osborne's sermon on man's domestic duties was 
preached Thursday, and was based on the command : 
'* Go to thy home, and tell what the Lord hath done for 
thee" (Matt. 5 : 19). The Gospel, said the preacher, 
teaches the oblation of self for the good of others. Christ 
sacrificed His all for us, and His Cross teaches us to put 
self away, and to bring every faculty of mind and body 
into subjection to Christ. The preacher said that if he 
had a daughter, and a gentleman should ask his consent 
to marry her, the first question he would ask him would 
be : " Where do you propose to live ?" If he should an- 
swer, " At a hotel or a boarding-house," under no circum- 
stances would he consent that his daughter marry any man 
who could not provide a home for her, however humble. 
He said that to live at hotels or boarding-houses might 
save some trouble, but life where children are not welcome 
is not " home life ;" and a place where children are not 
welcome is not a home. . . . 

" Jesus calls us from the worship 

Of the vain world's golden store, 
From each idol that would keep us. 
Saying : * Christian, love Me more.' " 



676 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



THE BATTLE OF THE CROSS IN BUSINESS. 

The sermon was based on the Saviour's declaration : 
"A rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of 
heaven" (Matt. 19:23). Father Osborne said his text did 
not teach that it is impossible for a rich man to be saved, 
but that he can be saved only as the result of a struggle 
with mammon. He alluded to the desire to be wealthy, as 
contained in the expressions : ** If I were rich," and 
*^ When I am rich," etc. The necessity of the conflict may 
be seen : First, in the fact that the end of true life is the 
soul rising to God ; and man's life in every relation should 
lead to this. Second, man's life in his business is disap- 
pointing, and the world deceives him. Money-getting is so 
absorbing that many say : " I have no time to attend to 
religion. Money is close at hand ; God is far away." 
Others, who are making haste to be rich, say : " I have 
no time to attend to statesmanship ;" and unprincipled 
men are among those who attend to the civic affairs of the 
city. Money-getting is also demoralizing ; whether it 
need be is another question ; but, as a matter of fact, con- 
tact with that which is less than ourselves cannot elevate ; 
and so minds gifted, noble, generous, become feeble, 
dwarfed, contracted. And from this follows a lower stan- 
dard of right and wrong. 

The question asked is not, "Is it right?" but *' Will it 
pay ?" " Is there any money in it ?" In order to be rich 
many stoop to " sharp practice" and acts of " low cun- 
ning," and to gratify selfishness commit deeds of cruelty. 
The greatness of a financial transaction does not make the 
action right. The preacher referred to the commercial 
gambler who ** waters stocks," and to the man at Five 
Points who " waters milk ;" to the man who makes a con- 
tract, but fails to keep it ; and, to show that trifling acts 



FATHER OSBORNE AT TRINITY CHURCH. ^11 

lead to great dishonesty, he referred to the man who occu- 
pied a position of trust in Boston, who stole a fellow-em- 
ploye's banana ; and the number of clerks in the establish- 
ment looked up to the man who was guilty of petty theft 
as their model of integrity ! Even some who profess to 
be religious have taken a low view of business honesty. 
To stand alone among business men and shun dishonor- 
able transactions involves a real conflict. In closing the 
sermon, Father Osborne alluded to the result of money 
gained wrongly. He mentioned the story concerning the 
history of the thirty pieces of silver, the amount received 
by Judas as the reward for his treachery ; the curse of sac- 
rilege ; the warriors who placed their bullet-shattered ban- 
ners on the altar, after which they were suspended in the 
church as sacred relics of fierce conflict with foes. He 
showed that, at last, not he who has been admired and 
flattered will receive the crown of victory, but " he that 
overcometh." In tones of intense earnestness he implored 
his hearers to faithfully fight the battle of the Cross in 
their commercial transactions, that they may exclaim : *' I 
have fought a good fight ;" and, when Christ appears, 
receive the crown of life that fadeth not away. 

" JesuB calls us : by Thy mercies, 
Saviour, may we hear Thy call. 
Give us hearts to Thine obedience. 
Serve and love Thee best of all." 

THE BATTLE OF THE CROSS IN SOCIETY. 

The closing sermon of the series was preached Saturday, 
April 17th, and based on the Saviour's words : " Whoso- 
ever will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up 
his cross and follow Me" (Mark 8 : 38). After reading the 
context, Father Osborne asked : " Has any one ever real- 
ized the ideal in these words?" St. Paul, contemplating 



678 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

Rome, then the city of the world, and the cross of Jesus, 
' said : " I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ ;" and 
that gallant soldier of Christ, having fought the battle of 
the Cross in His own mind, and soul, and body, fought it 
also in society. 

The sermon set forth, first, that in society the battle has 
a field, unlimited in extent, and its influence meets us 
everywhere. The mind bows before it, and the soul is 
sacrificed to it. Its maxims rule the home, and, in some 
degree, control even business. 

Second, the battle of the Cross is a great battle ; 
for here personal interest is brought to bear, and the 
results of personal influence are lasting for good or for 
evil. 

Third, the influence of society is antagonistic to the 
Cross, for it lives for this world, it is luxurious and 
selfish, it refuses to take trouble, and is characterized by 
laziness and luxurious indulgence, and will not practise 
self denial. 

Fourth, the battle of the Cross in society is a solitary 
battle. In this is its chief hardness. Even apart from those 
who are known as religious people, the combatant must 
stand forth and contend alone ; and he requires great 
moral courage to patiently bear the accusations that he 
is proud and self-righteous. Because you will not accept 
the maxims of society, nor court its friendship, and will 
shield your home from "the fast man," and refuse its 
methods of business, and despise its luxury, you will be 
thought and called " a fool ;" and society will not forgive 
the man who holds it in contempt. 

The preacher urged the Christian to fight manfully the 
battle of the Cross in society with hopefulness, for there 
is power in it ; and gave illustrations from sacred and secu- 
lar history what one person, by God's strength and in 



FATHER OSBORNE AT TRINITY CHURCH. 679 

Christ's name, might do, as illustrated by Jeroboam, and 
by Telemachus, through whom the cruel slaughter at the 
Coliseum in Rome was brought to an end. When a young 
man, the preacher was an unbeliever ; but through the 
influence of a layman his mode of life was changed. 

He encouragingl}'- said : " This battle of the Cross in 
society is not really solitary," for to sustain us we have the 
Communion of Saints ; and referred to the seven thousand 
who had not bowed to the idol Baal in the days of the 
Prophet Elijah, who was not left to contend alone. The 
faithful Christian warrior has the presence of Christ, who 
first fought this battle wnth society. At the final review 
the victors will be recognized by the King of kings, and 
receive the crown of victory. 

" Nearer, my God, to Thee, 
Nearer to Thee, 
E'en though it be a cross 
That raiseth me." 

The devout attention of the large congregations in 
Trinity Church who listened to Father Osborne's sermons 
on " The Battle of the Cross of Christ," the opposing 
forces, how to overcome them, and the certainty of final 
victory, made it evident that when a preacher depicts the 
sins committed by persons before him, and faithfully but 
kindly warns them of their guilt and danger, that they may 
be cleansed from the former and escape the latter, they 
listen with both patience and gratitude. Thus saith the 
Lord, *' Preach the preaching that I bid thee," should be 
every preacher's motto ; for he is not responsible for the 
nature of his message, but only for its faithful proclama- 
tion. The specifications of the consideration that hus- 
bands should show to their wives were of a very practical 
character. The iniquity of pre-natal murder and the guilt 
of the murderers were fearlessly proclaimed. Married or 



680 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

single men who perpetuate " the social evil " were depicted 
as meriting execration. To different classes of domestic 
transgressors he did not '^ prophesy smooth things," nor 
cry '* peace, peace, when God hath not spoken peace." 

A DESCRIPTION OF THE NOONDAY PREACHER. 

Father Osborne appears to be about fifty years of age, 
and six feet in height. He has a high and intellectual 
forehead, blue eyes, an oval face, a florid complexion, and 
a benevolent countenance. His iron-gray hair is closely 
cut and his beard closely shaven. He stands very erect, 
and his countenance indicates that he possesses great de- 
cision of character. He commences his sermon in a sub- 
dued, musical tone, and gradually increases its volume until 
it fills the building. With an English accent, he increases 
in rapidity of utterance, and continues his discourse in a 
high monotone. At times his intensity gives a degree of 
roughness to his tones, but does not destroy his distinct- 
ness of enunciation. Generally he expels more breath 
than is converted into pure tone — which is one cause of the 
" clergyman's sore throat." His antithesis is more fre- 
quent than his climax. He makes use of very few gestures, 
but with each hand gently holding the moulding of the 
pulpit, he emphasizes successive sentences by a movement 
of his head and shoulders. At times his manner is magiste- 
rial and his tone commanding, and his intense earnestness 
and inflections indicate that he believes the truthfulness of 
every word he utters. Speaking with " the force of per- 
sonal conviction," he arrests and holds the attention of 
his hearers. They listen as if spellbound. Combined 
with his apparent sternness is a spirit of tenderness ; and 
as Christ's ambassador, responsible to God for the mode 
in which he delivers His message, his manner and tone 
indicate that his soul yearns to benefit his hearers, and that 



FATHER OSBORNE AT TRINITY CHURCH. 681 

the Holy Ghost may move them to be wise in this their 
day of visitation, and not " neglect so great salvation." 

A few clergymen were included among the venerable 
bankers and smart-looking brokers, and the various rep- 
resentatives of commerce who attended the daily ser- 
vices. The singing was congregational, and very hearty. 
The prayers were short and appropriate, and the sermons 
produced a deep impression. In " Old Trinity" Gospel 
warnings and entreaties have been earnestly and faithfully 
sounded, and business men have heard "precept upon 
precept." 

THE KIND OF MINISTERS NOW NEEDED.* 

What is called the spirit of the age — the common mould 
and movement of this generation ; its dominant aims ; its 
prevailing tempers and modes of life ; its materialistic 
way of looking at the realities of being and destiny, of Ufa 
and death, of sin and holiness, of probation, responsibility, 
eternal judgment ; its self-indulgence, mammon worship, 
and passionate greed for pleasures that make up the life of 
the flesh that withers with the grass and wanes with the 
sun — alas ! how all these have smothered, depressed, dis- 
torted, deadened our Christian conscience, and walled up 
the path that leads to heaven and to God ! Ah ! were five- 
score John Baptists and as many Pauls sent among us, cry- 
ing in the highways and byways, and working by methods 
which, because of their strange zeal and courage, were 
deemed by slumbering thousands irregular, spasmodic, 
extraordinary, they would not be too great a company to 
arouse the indifferent, the doubting, the sleeping masses 
around us. It were well if both could be done by stated 
and ordinary means ; but alas ! experience shows they 

* Address of the Rt. Rev. A. N. Littlejohn, D.D., at the close of the 
mission at St. Luke's, Brooklyn. 



682 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

cannot. Our fallen and wayward nature must be dealt 
with in all its moods, in all its liabilities. 

THE CHURCH MUST BE WIDE AND FLEXIBLE. 

The Church must be as wide and flexible in its meth- 
ods as the nature which it would lead to Christ. Sin 
creates emergencies ; Satan plies us with extraordinary 
temptations ; the world and the flesh press upon us in 
strange and unlooked-for ways ; the Divine life within 
us passes, at times, under shadows, way out into a dark- 
ness that drops upon it we scarce know how or whence ; 
the chariot wheels of the Spirit that drove smoothly enough 
beside the water-courses of salvation now and then refuse 
to move along the stony road of hearts alienated from God, 
or stick fast in the deep mire of indifference or ungodli- 
ness. At such times what shall we do ? Shall we fold our 
hands and cry out that evil has got the start of us, and we 
cannot overtake or check it ? Shall we admit that the 
militant host of God's elect is outflanked, that the Church, 
the one witness through the ages of the power of a super- 
natural redemption, the one pillar and ground of the truth 
which alone can make us free, and in our freedom alive 
once more unto God— shall we admit that it is without dis- 
cretion or resource to cope with such emergencies ? God 
forbid ! 

THE ARMORY OF HEAVEN IS NOT EMPTY. 

The needed weapons are always there, always waiting 
upon the courage and valor of Christ's true soldiers and 
servants. Never was there a war yet that strained a 
nation's life that had not its campaigns, its strategies, its 
risks, its perils, its victories outside and even contrary to 
accepted, ordinary rules of fighting. Shall it be said that 
the mightiest, most desperate and prolonged of all con- 



FATHER OSBORNE AT TRINITY CHURCH. 683 

flicts — that of the incarnate, crucified Son of God with a 
world dead in trespasses and sins — that in which we enlisted 
when we took the sign of the cross in baptism, and some 
of us took again in a certain special and awful sense when 
we were set apart to the ministry of reconciliation — shall 
it be said that this in which all other wars are swallowed 
up, and on which hangs the destiny not merely of indi- 
vidual souls, but of the universe itself, is the one exception 
that allows no fighting that is not squared to the line and 
plummet of custom, of fixed rules, of unvarying tradi- 
tions ? . . . 

TANGENT MOVEMENTS NOT TO BE FEARED. ' 

The Church, which is one and the same in its essentials, 
through all time has been speaking to you, though in un- 
wonted tones and by extraordinary methods. Through it 
all it has spoken by the lips of its own validly-commis- 
sioned ministry ; washed and fed you after a spiritual 
manner by sacraments instituted by its own eternal Head 
and ordained by Him to convey the same unchanging 
grace ; drawn from the Holy Scriptures — the one immu- 
table and inspired record of the Word of Life— the one per- 
petual charter of its own authority and work among men ; 
and used devotions and prayers which, however free and 
fervid, have been pitched on the key-note and conformed 
its spirit to its own majestic and hallowed Liturgy. Be- 
cause this Church is what it is, and has what it has, there 
is no ground to fear the fullest play and counterplay of its 
centrifugal and centripetal forces. The centre is always 
sure ; we always know where that is, so long as we know 
where Christ is, and so long as our grasp is fixed upon the 
order, the sacraments, the discipline, the worship which 
He instituted, and with these upon the fundamental aims 
and processes of the spiritual life of which He is the one 



684 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

everlasting Source. Tied to this burning, immovable 
centre, standing behind these sure safeguards planted 
around it, we need not fear the tangent movements, the 
extraordinary instrumentalities for the conversion or 
quickening of souls, however they seem to sweep off in 
abnormal circuits through the desert wastes of an evil 
world. ... 

It were easy to show that our very manual of worship, 
the Book of Common Prayer, with all its majesty of tone, 
and reverence for order, and fixedness of arrangement, 
abundantly provides for seasons and methods of special 
work for souls. The fact is, and let us all understand it, 
the Church is seeking to recover and bring to the front 
more and more gifts and powers which have gone to rust 
for lack of using. She is rounding out, more and more, 
her own consciousness, and, with that, her modes of wor- 
ship, her styles of preaching, her methods of practical 
activity, so as to bring them all up to the level of her 
always Catholic heritages. She is for all men, and to all 
she must speak. She is for the ages, and to each she must 
present Christ as the fulness of Him who filleth all in all. 

THE MISSIONERS OF PAST AGES. 

What you have witnessed ... is as old as God's 
covenants and dispensations for reclaiming man to Him- 
self. Go read the ancient prophets of Israel, whose mes- 
sage ran like a track of fire through the home, and market- 
places, and shrines, and hearts of God's people when smit- 
ten with strange idols and sunk in ignorance and sin. Go 
read the records of the apostolic and sub-apostolic ages of 
the Church ; turn the leaves that tell you of Chrysostom, 
and Boniface, and St. Anthony of Padua ; of the Bernards, 
and Wycliffes, and Luthers, and Ridleys, and Latimers of 
other days. Recall the labors, the missions of the first and 



FATHER OSBORNE AT TRINITY CHURCH. 685 

second generations of preaching friars, who travelled from 
city to city, from hamlet to hamlet, from country to 
country, barefooted, half clothed, unfed, unpaid, in out- 
ward guise beggars, and preached to " all sorts and con- 
ditions of men." **The Spirit and the bride say, Come. 
And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is 
athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water 
of life freely." 



686 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 



CHAPTER XLIII. 

TIMELY PREPARATION FOR A MISSION ESSENTIAL. 

Miscellaneous Services not a Mission — -Before the Mission — 
During the Mission — After the Mission — Applications for 
MissionerS' — The Rev. Father Hall— His Judicious Advice — 
The Bishop of Bedford — *' ^ Mission is a Begi?tning^ not 
an Ending. ' ' 

A PAROCHIAL mission is a series of Evangelistic services, 
but any series of services is not a parochial mission. In 
some churches a series of sermons have been preached by 
different clergymen night after night ; but while they were 
rhetorically excellent, as they were not " homogeneous," 
but " miscellaneous," one more or less neutralized the 
impression of the other ; and as the results that usually ac- 
company amission were not apparent, disappointment was 
the result. Moreover, some Rectors have desired a mis- 
sion, hoping that it might suddenly elevate the parish from 
chronic depression to the height of spiritual prosperity ! 
But in order that a mission prove successful, the conditions 
of success must be complied with. ((^) Before the mission 
earnest prayer should ascend that God's blessing rest upon 
the effort to be made to promote His glory, (b) During 
the mission the prayers and hymns and sermons should 
harmonize with its specific object, and be a concentrated 
spiritual force to influence the intellect, to admire the 
Saviour's glories, the heart to supremely love Him, and 
the will to choose Him as the Almighty Deliverer from the 



PREPARA TION FOR A MISSION ESSENTIAL. 687 

guilt and penalty and dominion of sin. (c) After the mis- 
sion the Rector should faithfully labor to deepen the 
impressions which, through God the Holy Ghost, the Mis- 
sioner may have made, remembering that conversion is not 
justification, nor sanctification, nor glorification, but turn- 
ing the back upon Satan and the world, and the face tow- 
ard God and heaven. 

The prodigal son resolved {a) to turn his face toward 
home ; (<^) he took the necessary steps to reach it ; {c) his 
father gladly welcomed him, and freely forgave him ; 
(^) he was clothed in comely raiment, and (<?) partook of 
the feast provided. So, whoever is converted through a 
mission needs the assurance of forgiveness ; his Saviour's 
robe of righteousness ; constant refreshment through God's 
appointed " means of grace," and the spiritual invigo ra- 
tion of the Holy Eucharist. 

A mission, therefore, is not a clerical galvanic battery 
that will energize the feeble limbs of a "feeble parish." 
And Rectors who desire the aid of a Missioner, from a 
timely and judicious letter by the Rev. Arthur C. Hall, of 
Boston, Mass.,* may learn what not to expect if due prep- 
aration for a mission has not been made, and what to 
hope for if the conditions of success be complied with. 

PREPARATION FOR MISSIONS. 

" The stream of applications which I have received from 
all parts of the country with regard to parochial missions 
since the Advent Mission in New York seems to warrant a 
few words gathered from experience as to the conditions 
which alone can make a mission of true and lasting benefit. 
Many clergy seem to think that a mission is a panacea for 

* New York Churchman^ March 26th, 1886. 



688 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

all ills, a sort of patent medicine lately added to the ecclesi- 
astical pharmacy, which may be administered in much the 
same way, whatever the disease to be cured, or whatever 
the circumstances of the suffering parish. In illustration 
of my meaning, I will cite three instances of applications, 
which seem to show a misconception of the real nature of 
a mission. I have lately been asked to provide for a mis- 
sion in a large city in a distant State, at two weeks' notice, 
this being the length of time allowed both to the preacher 
and to the parish for preparation. 

" In another State I have been begged to conduct a mis- 
sion either for two weeks or for two days. In most places, 
large and small, where a mission is contemplated, the sug- 
gestion is made that a daily noon service for men would 
be very desirable, because this met with marked success in 
Trinity Church, New York. 

** With reference to misconceptions — of which these may 
be taken as samples — may I say that a considerable experi- 
ence in the conduct of missions, both in this country and 
in England, has made the following points perfectly clear 
to my brethren and myself : 

** I. That the results, so far as man can judge, of a mis- 
sion are generally in proportion to the thoroughness and 
continuance of the previous pastoral work in the parish. 
A mission is in no sense a substitute for diligent pastoral 
work, nor can the work of years be done by accumulation 
in twelve days. In parochial missions, especially, is the 
saying realized : ' One soweth and another reapeth.' The 
mission priest is called in when the parish priest has done 
his best. 

** 2, Moreover, that lengthened immediate preparation 
for a mission is of the greatest importance. I see no reason 
to modify the rule laid down in a paper we put forth some 
little time ago on the subject of * Parochial Missions,' that 



PREPARA TION FOR A MISSION ESSENTIAL. 689 

' the preparation should in no case be less than three 
months.' 

" 3. That the greatest elasticity should be allowed in the 
arrangement of plans, no stereotyped order being followed, 
but all distinctly adapted to the actual circumstances and 
possibilities of the place. 

" 4. That the duration of a mission should, if possible, 
be lengthened rather than shortened from the customary 
ten or twelve days. On the second Sunday many people 
whom you desire to influence may be expected to attend 
the services for the first time, drawn by friends or by curi- 
osity. 

" If the mission was of longer continuance, the services 
and instructions could be more varied, and not quite such 
high pressure maintained throughout the whole time. 
But, practically, three Sundays mark the limit for which a 
mission preacher can be secured." 

A MISSION IS A BEGINNING, NOT AN ENDING. 

The Bishop of Bedford, England, gives most excellent 
advice to Rectors who desire a parochial mission : " It is 
a serious thing to resolve upon a mission in one's parish, 
and needs much serious thought. It is bringing a very 
powerful force to bear upon one's people, and they will be 
the better or the worse for it. It cannot leave the parish 
as it finds it. To invoke this powerful force lightly and 
carelessly, without definite aim and purpose, and without 
a distinct grasp of the practical working and ultimate re- 
sults of a mission, is to make a fatal mistake. A man 
who, conscious of his own defects, and of the unsatis- 
factory state of his parish, fancies a mission will set all to 
rights, and do a large part of his work for him, is only pre- 
paring for himself disappointment, and for his people some- 
thing worse — namely, the hardness of rejected grace and 



690 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

the deadness of burnt-out excitement. The first thing to 
be thoroughly conscious of, in weighing the question 
* Shall I have a mission or no ? ' is the fact that a mission 
will inevitably stir up plenty of mud, bring to light plenty 
of hidden evil, and carve out plenty of future work. If a 
parish priest says, * I long to know my people better ; I 
long to get at their true wants, to understand their true 
difficulties, to be brought face to face with their real inner 
life ; I am getting into a groove, working by routine, fail- 
ing to touch whole classes, such as the laboring men, the 
young lads, the rich and prosperous ; I long for more true, 
living, self-denying work ; I feel myself capable of it, and, 
God helping me, I do not mean to shrink from it' — if a 
man speaks thus, I would say : ' You are the man to have 
a mission in your parish ! ' A mission (it cannot be too 
strongly enforced) is a beginning — not an ending. It is a 
gathering-up of work for years to come. It is an attempt 
to lift the whole parish up to new life, and earnestness, 
and loving labor. 

*' We will suppose the question, as to having a mission 
or no, settled in the affirmative ; the next point is to secure 
a Missioner. You had better wait to get the right man 
than get the wrong man because you do not like to wait. 
But it is not always easy to say who is the right man. 
Certain qualifications, however, are obviously necessary. 
He must be a man of deep religious earnestness, and of 
some power and force of character ; he must be wise and 
loving ; he must be one whom you can trust, and whom 
you can bid your people trust ; he must preach and speak 
with readiness and simplicity ; and he must be strong in 
health and voice. If you have any friend answering to 
this description, secure him for the earliest time he can 
give you. . . . 

" But the time is drawing near, and now everything will 



PREPARA TION FOR A MISSION ESSEA^TIAL. 691 

depend upon the nature and the thoroughness of the prep- 
aration. And that again will depend upon the spirit in 
which it is undertaken and carried out. It is no work 
which can be done by mere excellence of machinery. 
Organization is necessary, but organization is nothing if 
there is wanting a spirit of love and devotion. Warm 
hearts, full of sympathy, full of godly ardor, full of holy 
self-sacrifice — these are the only things worth organizing. 
Of course you cannot have any amount of these to order ; 
but if you can command none, I should very much doubt 
the wisdom of holding a mission at all. You are, however, 
sure to have some such loving, earnest, self-denying 
workers in your parish, and even two or three can do great 
things at such a time. And the presence of one who has 
had experience elsewhere in the work, even if only visiting 
the parish for two or three weeks before the mission, is 
often a great blessing and a great help to others whose 
hearts are willing, but whose knowledge is scanty, and 
hands are clumsy. . . . 

" It is of primary moment that the tone of the mission 
should be that of gravity and earnestness, and not of 
bustle and excitement. The calm, simple solemnity, 
which would naturally follow the realization of God's pres- 
ence and of a work done solely for His glory, is what 
should mark the whole progress of the mission. . . . On 
this point one may learn much from J. H. Newman's re- 
markable sermon on * The Religious Use of Excited Feel- 
ings,' and on ' Religious Emotion,' although w^e are pre- 
sumptuous enough to hold that this great thinker and 
writer minimizes the province of the emotions, and assigns 
to them almost too limited a sphere of influence in the 
daily life of the Christian. Be this as it may, the spirit of 
the mission, even if some amount of chastened excitement 
is inevitable, should be calm, prayerful, earnest, and real. 



692 THE CHURCH REVIVED, 

Above all, the mission must be wholly practical. Unless 
the outflow of the emotions be instantly guided into prac- 
tical channels, there is great danger of a mere wasteful and 
harmful inundation. It is this that makes the inculcation 
of definite practical resolutions so helpful in a mission. It 
is this that makes it so absolutely indispensable to bear in 
mind from the very first that you are gathering up material 
for long after-work, and that those awakened to deeper 
seriousness by the prayers or preaching of the mission 
week must not be allowed to drop, but must be classified 
and trained, and led on, by Bible classes, Confirmation 
classes, communicants' classes, and, above all, by much 
quiet personal intercourse, to the full stature of Holy 
Christian manhood. 

** Years pass by. The parish priest looks back to the 
time of his mission. What fruit can he discern as still 
abiding ? At first there was much promise. But now ? 
Well, perhaps he was too sanguine. He will have his dis- 
appointments. Yet, if his mission were a wise laying of 
the foundation, and he has been a wise master-builder in 
his after-work, he will be able to point to here one, and 
there one, simple, quiet, godly souls, who have learnt the 
deadliness of sin, who have grasped the comfort of pardon, 
have seen visions of Divine holiness ; who have beheld the 
outskirts of the measureless love of Christ ; who have 
found new joy in prayer, and new light in praise, and new 
strength in Holy Communion ; who are travelling on, not 
without their troubles, but peaceful, hopeful, joyful 
through all, and who have said to their pastor in hours of 
quiet and blessed intercourse, and do say in their own 
hearts again and again : * Thank God for the mission ! * " 



THE RALL YING PO WER OE RE VIVAL HYMNS. 693 



CHAPTER XLIV. 

THE RALLYING POWER OF REVIVAL HYMNS.* 

How the Early Methodists Leariied Theology — The ''^Mar- 
seillaise " — " Rule Britannia' ' — * ' The Star- Spangled Banner * 
—''''Hold the Fort'' — Hymn by the Rev. C, A. Coxe^ 1840 — 
Final Victory Assured. 

The wonderful revival in the time of Wesley and White- 
field aroused slumbering poets to write Gospel hymns, and 
composers to set the words to tunes that did not prove an 
anodyne. The uneducated converts among the Methodists 
learned theology through the hymns that some of them 
could not read, but, without a hymnal, could fervently sing 
them. The revival at the present time has been accom- 
panied by much singing. Through the reiterated use of 
hymns and tunes that kept the singers awake, and those 
who heard them, many have learned " how to come to 
Christ," and how to answer the question, "What must I 
do to be saved ?" And through the great popularity of 
revival hymns, thousands who possess musical voices, 
instead of singing polluting songs now sing the hymns 
which have become familiar at home and abroad. 

the bugle call to rally. 
The " Marseillaise" stirs the patriotism of Frenchmen ; 
*' Rule Britannia" awakens the dormant loyalty of English- 

* The neutralizing power of inappropriate hymns is described in *' The 
Church Revived," Part II., Chapter III., p. 98. 



694 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

men ; the " Star-Spangled Banner" excites the courage of 
the American. The chorus : 

" Hold the fort, for I am coming, 
Jesus signals still ; 
Wave the answer back to heaven : 
By Thy grace we will !" 

has moved multitudes of Christians to watch and pray, and 
fight the battle of Immanuel. So the hymn composed by 
the Rev. A. Cleveland Coxe, in a.d. 1840, has been sung 
with great fervor, and aroused and rallied slumberers in 
Zion. Over a quarter of a century ago the author memo- 
rized the hymn, and as it is not in our hymnal, it is here 
reproduced. Discerning the signs of the times, and hear- 
ing the prelude of the final conflict, the fervent Bishop re- 
sounds the mandate : " Blow ye the trumpet in Zion ! 
Sound an alarm in my holy mountain ! Let all the inhab- 
itants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord cometh, 
it is nigh at hand!" 

" We are living, we are dwelling, 
In a grand and awful time ; 
In an age on ages telling, 
To be living is sublime. 

" Hark ! the waking up of nations, 
Gog and Magog to the fray. 
Hark! What soundeth? 'Tis creation's 
Groaning for the latter day. 

** Will ye play, then, will ye dally 
With your music and your wine ? 
Up ! it is Jehovah's rally : 

God's own arm hath need of thine. 

" Hark ! the onset. Will ye fold your 
Faith-clad arms in lazy lock ? 
Up ! oh, up, thou drowsy soldier ! 
Worlds are charging for the shock. 



THE RALLYING POWER OF REVIVAL HYMNS. 695 



" Worlds are charging, heaven beholding ; 
Thou hast but an hour to fight. 
Now, the blazoned cross unfolding, 
On, right onward tor the right. 

" Up ! let all the soul within you 
For the truth's sake go abroad ; 
Strike ! let every nerve and sinew 
Tell on ages, tell for God. 

" Sworn to fight, to falter never ; 

Sealed, baptized, and born again ; 
Sworn to be Christ's soldier ever, 
Oh, for Christ at least be men !" 

Calmly surveying the battle-field, buckling on the 
Gospel armor, courageously facing the adversary, quitting 
ourselves like men, and, in the name of the Lord God of 
the celestial hosts, fighting the good fight of faith, final 
victory is assured, and the victor's crown is visible. 

Some time ago an evangelist said : " Never did a be- 
sieging army bombard a city with greater confidence of 
beholding a surrender than we felt when beleaguering 
these sinners. Speculation was never more rife outside the 
walls of a besieged city as to what part of the walls would 
be likely to give way and to cause a breach than were the 
speculations among transgressors as to what class of sin- 
ners the truth would first break down, and cause a gap in 
the ranks of sinners. . . . Pompey boasted that with one 
stamp of his foot he could raise all Italy in arms ; but God 
with one word of His mouth can raise, not all Italy only, 
but all heaven !" 

What are the combined powers of all the hosts of dark- 
ness and the concentrated forces of all the hostile powers 
of earth in comparison with the moral power of Christ's 
Church when she arises and puts forth her strength ? 
What are worldly conquests compared with the victories of 



696 - THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

Christ's Church militant ? What are the glories of earthly 
kingdoms when placed in contrast with the Church militant 
emerging into the Church triumphant, and shining in the 
glory of the King of kings and the Lord of lords ? And 
what are the martial eulogies uttered to earthly conquer- 
ors in comparison with the doxologies celebrating the 
victories of Immanuel ? Through Jesus Christ our Lord, 
may the author and reader unite in singing: "Blessing 
and honor, and glory and power, be unto Him that sitteth 
upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever !" 



EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS. 697 



CHAPTER XLV. 

EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS WHOSE WRITERS ARE CHEERED 
THROUGH THE NEW YORK ADVENT MISSION. 

Letter from Yemnl, England — From the Rev. Dr. Pliny B, 
Morgan — From the Rev. Robert Paid- — Fro7n the Rev. Dr. 
Townsend — From Bishop Littlejohn — From Bishop Hunt' 
ington. 

Many years ago the author and the Rev. Dr. F. Gunner, 
when very young men, held Evangelistic services on 
Ham Hill, Stoke, Somersetshire, England ; at Martock, 
where repose the remains of the author's paternal grand- 
mother and '* Little Georgie," her great-great-grandson ; 
at South Petherton ; Taunton ; Weston Supermare ; 
Burnham ; Yeovil, and at other places. At Yeovil they 
hired the public hall, and among those present were 
S. Aplin, Esq. After a service a workingman invited the 
young lay Evangelists to take tea with him, and they accom- 
panied him to his residence. His hospitality and candor 
were highly appreciated ; for, after a pleasant conversation, 
he said : *' My young brothers, I believe the passage, 
; ' given to hospitality ; ' but — but. I am a poor man, and 
have to offer you for tea burnt toast-water, which I use as 
coffee." By this poor but good man's candor we were 
much pleased and edified. After the evening service we 
accepted an invitation from S. Aplin, Esq., then a whole- 
sale and retail grocer, but not the person referred to by 
Missioner Aitken in a sermon in Trinity Church, New 



698 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

York, and described in " The Church Revived," Part V., 
Chapter XXVIII. 

Mr. Aplin, to whom the author is indebted for many- 
kindnesses to himself and to beloved aunts departed, duly 
received the glad tidings concerning the New York Advent 
Mission, published in the Independent^ and the following is 

a brief extract from his letter : 

" Yeovil, January 4, 1886. 
" My dear Brother Bonham : I thank you very much for your kind 
remembrance of me after so many years' absence. It may be we shall 
never meet again in this life. I am seventy-five years of age in March, 
and am getting to be an old man. ... I am pleased to learn that you 
have had that good man, Brother Aitken, at the New York Advent Mis- 
sion. I heard him at Weymouth some years ago, and with great pleas- 
ure. . . . Now, dear brother, I must wish you farewell. If we never 
meet again here, we shall met where there is no parting, and that will 

be joyful indeed, 

*' Yours in Christ, our Life, 

" I. S. Aplin." 

Inclosed in the letter was the whole of the hymn com- 
mencing : 

" Shall we meet beyond the river, 
Where the surges cease to roll ? 
Where in all the bright forever, 

Sorrow ne'er shall press the soul ? 
Shall we meet with those departed. 

Who have bowed beneath death's wave ? 
Shall we meet the holy myriads 

Who are ransomed from the grave ?" 

EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM PULASKI, N. Y. 

When the writer and the receiver of this letter were 
young men they both did Evangelistic work in Trinity 
Church, near Finsbury Square, London, England ; also 
in Trinity Chapel, Westminster, not far from the Abbey. 

" Pulaski, N. Y., December 14, 1885. 
" Dear Brother Bonham : . . . Recently I had the pleasure of seeing 
your name in connection with the Advent Mission. We cannot but con- 



EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS, 699 

gratulate each other on such an auspicious event, and I had a strong 
desire to visit New York to be present at some of the services. ... I 
once heard Missioner Aitken's father in London, and it is delightful t( 
know that the same missionary zeal which glowed in the father's breae 
glows in the son's. What joy that father must feel in heaven (for I can 
not doubt but he knows) to see his son walking in his steps ! 

" Very often I feel that I would like to go out myself, more faithful! » 
than ever, into the highways of this world, and cry : ' Behold, the 
Lamb ! ' ' Jesus Christ, whom the heavens must retain until the times of 
restitution,' has been your theme and mine from our early days ; and as 
we feel more and more that ' time is short,' may we be more and more 
grateful for that grace that gave us such a theme, and makes it grander 
and brighter and more and more joy-inspiring as the years roll on. 

" I have been here between seven and eight years, and have songs to 
sing both of ' mercy and of judgment.' 

" Of His deliverance I will boast, 
Till all who are distrest, 
By my example courage take, 
And calm their griefs to rest." 

. . . Very often my faith is severely tried. Pray for me. And may we 

realize more and more that our ' Anchor is within the veil ;' ' though the 

vision tarry, wait for it ; for it will surely come.' 

" Fraternally yours, 

" Robert Paul." 

LETTER FROM THE REV. P. B. MORGAN, M.D. 

Evangelist Morgan, who " did a good work in Central 
New York," expresses joy that his long-cherished desire 
that God would greatly bless our Church is being realized. 

" CoNNERSViLLE, Ind., December lo, 1885. 
*' My dear Brother Bonham : I want to thank you very sincerely 
for your kind remembrance in sending to me the notices of the services 
of the Advent Mission, and also for the good articles which I saw from 
your pen in the Independetit, and again in the Living Church. The work 
is wonderful. Can it be that, after all, God in His infinite mercy is going 
to permit this branch of His Church to be used to realize the power and 
preciousness and value of a preached Gospel, which is ' the power of God 
unto salvation ? ' . . . His name be praised ! I would like to be on the 



?00 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

ground ; but I am just as glad and as much rejoiced as I would be were 
I in New York to see with my own eyes the great and glorious work. 
" I remain, faithfully and affectionately, yours, 

"P. B. Morgan." 

The Rev. Dr. Morgan is doing a good work in Conners- 
ville, Ind. The author hopes that he may again go forth 
as an Evangelist. The report of his mission in Indianapo- 
lis in "The Church Revived," Part III., Chapter VI., 
p. 250, should move him to do so. 

JUDGE NOT. 

" Judge not ; the workings of his brain 
And of his heart thou canst not see ; 
What looks to thy dim eyes a stain, 

In God's pure light may only be 
A scar, brought from some well- won field. 
Where thou wouldst only faint and yield. 

" The look, the air, that frets thy sight, 

May be a token that below 
The soul has closed in deadly fight 

With some internal fiery foe, 
Whose glance would scorch thy smiling grace, 
And cast thee shuddering on thy face. 

*' The fall thou darest to despise — 

May be the slackened angel's hand 
Has suffered it, that he may rise 

And take a firmer, surer stand ; 
Or trusting less to earthly things. 
May henceforth learn to use his wings. 

*' And judge none lost ; but wait and see, 

With hopeful pity, not disdain ; 
The depth of the abyss may be 

The measure of the height of pain. 
And love and glory, that may raise 
This soul to God in after davs." 



EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS. 701 



FROM THE REV. I. L. TOWNSEND, S.T.D. 

" Washington, D. C, January 13, 1886. 

*' My dear Brother : Some lady sent me an Independent^ and I read 
the account of the mission with interest. Had your name not been pre- 
fixed, I could not have failed to recognize your style. ... I have been 
confined to my room ; . . . but if ever so well, I could not write you any- 
thing your own good memory cannot supply. I have only the naked 
record oi the twelve days' mission in the Church of the Incarnation ; the 
days and hours when the services were held ; what they were, and the 
parts taken by the clergy present. That would hot help you much, 
would it ? 

" If I had time to tell you the sequel to the mission, I am sure it would 
interest you. Good came out of it, certainly ; but, as often happens in 
God's all-wise Providence, not in the way we looked for. 

*' Truly yours, 

"I. L. TOW^NSEND." 
LETTER FROM THE REV. SPURILLE BURFORD. 

" St. Timothy's Church, 371 West Fifty-sixth St., ) 
New York, February 9, 1886. ) 

" Reverend and dear Brother : Hearing that you are preparing a 
volume to tell the story of God's work in reviving the dear old Church, 
through the channel of missions, I beg to add "my testimonial in their 
behalf. At my earnest entreaty you came to my parish. Calvary Church, 
New Orleans, La., in the winter of 1876, and began a mission of eight 
days. It had the warm sanction of that sainted and beloved Bishop, 
J. P. B. Wilmer, D.D., who attended the services frequently, and de- 
livered impressive addresses. The clergy then residing in New Orleans 
took an interest in the work. The Church was filled with people from 
all the parishes in the city, and the mission made a deep impression on 
all who came, and sent forth, I well recollect, a hallowed influence upon 
not only my own parish, but caused, under God, a fresh glow to be seen 
in all the parishes in New Orleans. The faithful and pointed presenta- 
tion of the Gospel which the Holy Spirit enabled you to make during 
that mission aroused many dormant and moribund Christians to a new 
and a better appreciation of the religious life, starting them out into the 
highway of self-consecration in heart and life. The careless and the 



702 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

ungodly were awakened to the need of everlasting life through the cruci- 
fied and risen Lord, and came to Him in His Church, to receive spiritual 
regeneracion and the bread of life in their Father's house. It was truly a 
' time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.' I can never cease to 
thank God for your kindness in holding the mission in my parish. You 
had recently returned from, the great London mission, and brought home 
with you much of the light and fire which God the Holy Ghost had 
poured out upon the Church of England at that time. 

" I feel quite sure that no one in the American Church is so well pre- 
pared to give an accurate, faithful, and instructive history of the work of 
missions as yourself. I want several copies of the book, to help me in my 
new field in the metropolis, and to give my soul a fresh impetus in the 
glorious work of proclaiming the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ, who ' came 
to seek and save that which was lost.' 

" I know of no way so effectual in making this Church in America a 
power for evangelizing the masses as well-conducted parochial missions. 
Your book ought to be read by the thousands, in all parts of North 
America and the Anglican communion, and bring great glory to God and 
His Holy Church. 

" Wishing you good luck in the name of the Lord, 
" I am, my very dear brother, 

" Yours faithfully and truly, in Christ Jesus, 

" Spurille Burford. 

" The Rev. J, W. Bonham, 

" Church Evangelist, 

" New York City." 

LETTER FROM THE BISHOP OF LONG ISLAND, N. Y. 

" Garden City, January 12, 1886. 
*' Reverend and dear Mr. Bonham : I am glad to hear that you are 
engaged in writing a book concerning churcli missions. I know of no 
one so competent to do such a work. You are quite right in saying that 
my interest in parochial missions is not of recent origin, as it is about 
as old as ni'y ministry. . . . Eleven years ago, as the Bishop of Long 
Island, I wrote and published as emphatic an appeal as I knew how to 
prepare in support of the mission in the Church of the Ascension, 
Brooklyn, E. D.,* Rev. T. W. Haskins, Rector. In the year following 
I gave to the Rev. B. F. Huntington a formal commission as an Evan- 

* See account of mission at Greenport, Part III., Chapter X. 



EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS. 703 

gelist in the Diocese of Long Island, and with it a letter to the clergy of 
the Diocese strongly commendatory of his plan for parochial missions. 
He held two — one in St. Paul's, Glen Cove, and one in Grace Church, 
Riverhead — when his health gave way, and he was obliged to discontinue 
his labors. 

" Thanking you for writing me on the subject, 

" I am, most faithfully, yours, 

" A. N. LiTTLEJOHN. 



MISSIONER HUNTINGTON IN ST. ANN S CHAPEL. 

The Rev. B. F. Huntington also held a mission in St. 
Ann's Chapel, Brooklyn ; but as he had taken a severe 
cold, and the Rev. Dr. Schenk had an attack of bronchitis, 
the Rector wrote to the author to come to their assistance. 
He gladly did so, but as the doctor had advertised " four 
comings of Christ," and the author believes in only two of 
them, he was much embarrassed. But as death is not the 
coming of Christ, but of the enemy, who entered the world 
through sin, whom Christ at His coming will destroy ; 
and the descent of the Holy Ghost was not the coming of 
Christ, for Christ said : "If I go away I will send you 
another comforter;" on the second evening the author 
preached to the sinners present to come to the Saviour, 
who came once to bear their sins away, and exhorted all 
to be ready to welcome His advent when He shall come 
the second time, without a sin-offering unto salvation. For 
years the earnest Rector of St. Ann's Church, Brooklyn, 
was on the committee who labored to induce the General 
Convention to recognize an order of Evangelists and mis- 
sion services as canonical. Though he died without seeing 
what our eyes behold, his efforts were not wholly in vain, 
for he encouraged the pioneers of missions. The Rev. B. 
H. Huntington has also departed to Paradise ; and both 
rest from their labors, and their good works do follow them. 



704 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

LETTER FROM THE BISHOP OF CENTRAL NEW YORK. 

"Syracuse, N. Y., December 14, 1885. 
" To the Independent : 

" I have seen a published statement by the Rev. J. W. Bonham of the 
early history of Evangelistic work in the form of the parochial mission in 
our Church in this country. So far as the Diocese of Central New York 
is concerned, and otherwise so far as my knowledge extends, the state- 
ments are correct in all particulars. 

"It is manifest that quite recently some variations and additions in 
respect to the manner of conducting these missions have appeared — 
as, for instance, the use of extemporaneous or committed addresses, and 
perhaps the after-meetings. 

" The question of priority does not strike me as one of much impor- 
tance in its personal bearings ; but, at the same time, accuracy is always 
to be desired, and it certainly is va matters of history. 

"F. D. Huntington." 

The author was Bishop Huntington's Evangelist for one 
year, and a sketch of the missions held in Central New 
York may be found in " The Church Revived," Part. II., 
Chapters I. to V., pp. 90-113. 



THE AUTHOR'S FAREWELL. 705 



CHAPTER XLVI. 



THE AUTHOR S FAREWELL. 



The Symbolic Angela- Spiritual Sunshine — A Comprehensive 
Prayer — Prophetic Critics — The Dead March — Missioners 
Departing — Prelude of the Midnight Cry — The Gloria Patri. 

"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, 
having the everlasting Gospel to proclaim unto them that 
dwell on the earth, and to every nation and kindred and 
tongiif and people ; saying with a loud voice. Fear God, 
and give glory to Him ; for the hour of His judgment is 
come : and worship Him that made heaven and earth, the 
sea, and the fountains of waters" (Rev. 14 : 6, 7), 

Through God's blessing on His messengers, S3^mbolized 
by the apocalyptic mission angel, the Church of Christ in 
England and in America is now in a state resembling the 
exceeding great army whom Ezekiel saw suddenly quick- 
ened into life. The command, " Arise, shine, for thy 
Light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon 
thee," has been obeyed; and the prayer answered, "O 
Lord, save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance." 

For the benefit of the Church in America, and whoever 
desired more light respecting parochial missions in the 
Anglican Church, the author again and again crossed and 
recrossed the ocean. To combine a few rays of the 
glorious spiritual sunshine beaming from the Church of 
England, for diffusion in America, he has taken great pains 
and taxed to the utmost his strength of body and mind ; 



706 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

but by obeying the command, " Take hold of my strength, 
saith Jehovah," he learned that " a burden carried on the 
back of love loses more than half its weight." When his 
spirit seemed ruffled his heart was peaceful ; for the com- 
prehensive prayer attributed to St. Patrick, who, in the 
fifth century, zealously labored for the conversion of 
Ireland, God still hears and answers : 

" May the strength of God pilot me ; 

May the power of God preserve me ; 

May the wisdom of God instruct me ; 

May the eye of God view me ; 

May the ear of God hear me ; 

May the word of God make me eloquent ; 

May the hand of God protect me ; 

May the way of God direct me ; 

May the shield of God defend me ; 

Christ be with me ; 

Christ on my right hand ; 

Christ on my left hand ; 

Christ in the heart of all to whom I speak ; 

Christ in the mouth of all who speak to me ; 

Christ in the eye of all who see me ; 

Christ in the ear of all who hear me/' 

The author could not present his collected rays of mis- 
sion light in a talent-candlestick, which the Master has not 
given to him, or in a rhetorical basket that he does not 
possess. But in the one he has he offers to the Church 
specimens of the numerous ** fragments that remain" un- 
gathered ; and, "with enmity toward none, and good-will 
toward all," he is grateful to whoever encouraged him to 
" go forward trusting in Jehovah." 

The comprehensive sketch of " the New York Advent 
Mission," embodied in Part V. of " The Church Revived," 
is the result of the author's personal observations, com- 



THE AUTHOR'S FAREWELL. 1^1 

bined with outlines of the services, furnished by Rectors 
and Missioners. He could not visit every church in which 
a mission was in progress, but was present at as many of 
the services as his strength permitted. Though the mis- 
sion was a plowing and planting season, the premature 
question is reiterated, ** What good has resulted ?" To 
answer this question the author wrote to several Rectors 
to send him " a condensed sketch of the mission's manifest 
results ;" but the concentrated and continuous services had 
made so much additional but pleasant work for the Rectors, 
that some could not spare the time to comply with his re- 
quest. During a mission Rectors and Missioners anxiously 
but hopefully sung : 

*' Sowing the seed with an aching heart, 
Sowing the seed while the tear-drops start, 
Sowing the seed till the reapers come 
Gladly to gather the harvest home ; 
Oh, what shall the harvest be ? 
Oh, what shall the harvest be ?' ' 

The author has labored to make his sketch of each mis- 
sion as complete as practicable ; he has his own decided 
preferences for particular mission modes, but has not 
allowed them to guide his hand in poising any Missioner. 
The lenses of his portrait camera are catholic, and arranged 
to take the picture of each Missioner before it, in the 
** high," "low," or "broad church" chair of his own 
selection, and poised therein to suit himself. No defect 
has been magnified nor any excellence diminished. Poly- 
bius affirms that " Truth is to history what eyes are to 
men ; if these be torn out they become useless." Just so, 
deprive history of truth, and it is no longer of any value 
or utility ; and therefore to accurately describe Missioners 
and missions is the author's supreme desire. 



708 THE CHURCH REVIVED. 

Aged Bishops, Rectors, and Missioners, to the music of 
the " Dead March," are in the long procession marching 
to the tomb ; but the Lord of the harvest is raising up 
laborers to take the places of those who are departing. 
They are not tired of parochial mission work, but have 
grown weary while doing their allotted parts, during the 
heat and burden of the day. But each will be rewarded 
according to his work. That others obey the command, 
" Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right 
that shall ye receive," the laborers who are departing to 
Paradise pray : 

*' Send forth Evangelists in spirit strong. 
Armed with Thy Word, a dauntless host. 
Bold to attack the rule of ancient wrong." 

With different degrees of emphasis different laborers 
say : ** Unto me who am less than the least of all saints is 
this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles 
the unsearchable riches of Christ." ** For me to live is 
Christ, but to die is gain." ** There is laid up for me a 
crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous 
Judge, will give unto me at that day, and not to me only, 
but unto all who love His appearing." 

The departing Bishops, Rectors, and Missioners desire 
soon to see the King in His beauty, and forever be 

" Where angel voices mingle and the angel harpers ring ; 
To be free from pain and sorrow, and the anxious dread ' to-morrow ; ' 
To rest in light and sunshine in the presence of the King." 

Through the love of God the Father, the grace of God 
the Son, and the fellowship of God the Holy Ghost, some 
of them are willing to depart to Paradise, chanting, "Lord, 
now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, for mine 
eyes have seen Thy salvation." 



THE AUTHOR'S FAREWELL. 709 

" Christ, let me come to Thee ! 
I watch my toiling breath grow faint and slow ; 

I note the hectic deepening day by day, 
And feel my life is like a wreath of snow, 

Which one kind breath of heaven would melt away. 
A little longer in this world of vice — 

The wished-for boundary is almost passed ; 
I see the shining shore of Paradise, 

I know my pain is almost o'er at last. 
Sweet Christ, oh, let me come ! 

" Christ, let me come to Thee ! 
I've seen the gates that guard Thy holy clime. 

And often caught a hopeful gleam within ; 
I know they'll open in Thine own good time, 

And let Thy weary, wandering child come in. 
I've had, all through this weary care and pain. 

One blessed hope, that ne'er has known despair. 
It cheers me like the sunshine after rain ! 

I know Thou'lt hear my deep and heart-felt prayer, 
And let me come to Thee !" 

For God's blessing on parochial missions in England, 
Canada, and the United States, " Glory be to the Father, 
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As the glory was 
in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without 
end. Amen." 



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